Windhorst: Cavs’ Dan Gilbert to Be Involved in Offseason Amid Donovan Mitchell Rumors

zach bacharContributor IMay 20, 2024

David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers have several important choices to make over the summer, and owner Dan Gilbert is expected to have input on the decision-making process.

In a radio appearance on ESPN 850 in Cleveland, insider Brian Windhorst confirmed that Gilbert will be “heavily involved” with the Cavaliers throughout the offseason.

ESPN Cleveland @ESPNClevelandHow much will Dan Gilbert be involved in this Cavs offseason?

“Significantly… absolutely, Dan is heavily involved,” – @WindhorstESPN. pic.twitter.com/hX5mJVUsqU

The future of star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell will be an important topic for the team’s front office, as he has just one year remaining on his contract and is eligible to sign an extension.

After Cleveland’s season ended with a five-game defeat at the hands of the Boston Celtics in the conference semifinals, questions surfaced regarding the long-term future of the Cavaliers’ core of Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.

Shams Charania, Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic reported that “rival executives believe the Cavs will have to seriously evaluate the fit of Mitchell and Garland and ultimately may have to choose one or the other.”

After the five-time All-Star was traded to Cleveland in a deal with the Utah Jazz in Sep. 2022, questions surfaced about his future with the organization following his current contract.

However, Windhorst noted on Friday’s edition of the Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast that the Cavaliers are “very optimistic” that they’ll be able to keep the 27-year-old on a long-term extension (52:10 mark).

Gilbert has also discussed his belief that Mitchell will extend with the team.

“We’ve been talking to him, sure, for the last couple of years about extending this contract,” Gilbert told Larry Lage of the Associated Press on March 28. “We think he will extend. I think if you listen to him talk, he loves the city.”

Despite the team’s lack of consistent playoff success following the blockbuster trade, Mitchell himself has lived up to expectations. In two years with the Cavaliers, he’s averaged 27.5 points and 5.2 assists per game while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from three.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportDONOVAN MITCHELL GAME WINNER 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RJjNi2CyNy

As Cleveland attempts to extend and build around Mitchell, Gilbert will help the front office navigate through the offseason.