When it comes to the NBA, no game is as popular as What Star May Go Where Next, and this year's top contestant is Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell.
He can sign a max contract extension this summer — or tell the team he doesn't want the deal and force the Cavs to trade him.
A lot of people (including some NBA insiders) have suggested that Mitchell wants out of Cleveland, that he has eyes for someplace with more pizzazz, like Los Angeles or Miami. And that's only because the New York rumors have died down, as Mitchell's hometown Knicks are doing just fine without him.
But what people seem to forget is Mitchell doesn't have it so bad with the Cavs, who were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. The Lakers and Heat were bounced in the first round and looked bad along the way.
Mostly, Mitchell would be losing tens of millions of dollars by walking away from Cleveland. Fact is, only one team can give him the max extension of four years and over $200 million. That team is the Cavaliers. And that alone is reason enough for a man to want to just stay put. But there may be other reasons, too, according to reports from Hoops Wire and The Athletic.
Per The Athletic, there is a "growing sentiment" in league circles that Mitchell will indeed sign the extension. So most insiders seem to believe that Mitchell will remain in Cleveland. Those insiders are people who have direct access to Mitchell, or at least his agent. Both could be sending vibes to rival teams that they should get their hopes up.
So Mitchell? Back to the Cavs? For more money than he can get anywhere else? Despite the chatter and noise, that may be precisely what's next.
