Cavaliers Weigh $277 Million Mitchell Extension and Harden Return After Knicks Sweep
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 26
Cavaliers Weigh $277 Million Mitchell Extension and Harden Return After Knicks Sweep
10 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 26
Cleveland enters the offseason reassessing its core after New York swept the Cavs in the East finals, with owner Dan Gilbert saying the team is “nowhere near where we need to be.”
July 7 opens Donovan Mitchell’s next contract window: Cleveland can offer four years and $277 million now, or roughly five years and $352 million if he waits until after next season.
James Harden, 37 in August, is widely expected to stay after arriving in February; the likeliest path is declining his $42.3 million option and signing a new two-year deal.
Kenny Atkinson has three years left after a 64-win first season, but fourth-quarter collapses, lineup questions and uneven alignment with the front office leave him exposed if Gilbert wants accountability.
Payroll pressure may shape every move: with Cleveland projected around $224.8 million including Harden’s option, the Cavs sit above the second apron, limiting trades, free-agent spending and even any realistic LeBron pursuit.
After trading a young star for him, can Cleveland justify re-signing an aging James Harden despite his critical playoff failures?
Swept with the NBA's priciest roster, are the Cavaliers a cautionary tale for building contenders in the league's new financial era?
With a massive payroll and harsh penalties, is Cleveland's only path to a title hoping this same flawed roster simply gets better?