Cleveland Cavaliers owner, optimistic on keeping Donovan Mitchell: "He loves the situation here"

Donovan Mitchell, the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar, is under contract until 2026. However, he's eligible for a contract extension as soon as the next summer. In a recent interview Cavs' owner, Dan Gilbert, spoke about the chances of the franchise to retain Donovan and count with him for the years to come.

Every member of the Cavs front office, including Dan Gilbert, are looking pretty confident about Donovan Mitchell remaining in Ohio, the team has been competitive since Mitchell's arrival and this season they've taking things to the next level, being in the battle for the top seeds in the Eastern Conference.

"We've been talking to him, sure, for the last couple of years about extending his contract," said Gilbert to Larry Lage of the Associated Press. "We think he will extend. I think if you listen to him talk, he loves the city.

"He loves the situation here because our players are very young and we're just kind of putting the core together that he's clearly the biggest part of."

Back in 2020, Donovan Mitchell signed a five-year $163 million with the Utah Jazz. That's the contract he's currently under now.

In the following summer, the All-Star guard will be eligible to sign a four-year contract extension, and the numbers that are being mentioned are above the $200 million.

Despite the Cavs optimism, there have been some rumors that linked Mitchell's future with the Los Angeles Lakers. This scenario could be a possibility if Donovan rejects signing an extension with Cleveland and opts for a trade or decides to leave the team and explore his options as a free agent in the summer of 2025.

With a 44-29 record, the Cavs are 4th in the East, two games ahead of the 5th seeded Orlando Magic and behind the New York Knicks in 3rd place by just an inch as the Knicks register a 44-28 record.