The 2023-24 season was a year of progress for the Cavs. After a 4th seed finish in the Western Conference, Cleveland looked confident and competent until they came up against the Celtics. Donovan Mitchell‘s injury in game 3 made sure that they didn’t progress beyond round two. But it was progress compared to the first-round exit of the previous season.

Now the Cavaliers are looking to take that further and the first step of it goes through Donovan Mitchell. Spida has been linked with moves away from the Cavs, but now the Ohio natives can breathe a sigh of relief.

According to Shams Charania, the Cavaliers are “confident” of keeping their star guard beyond 2025/26. The Athletic writer claims that the franchise is ready to table a $209 million maximum contract for Mitchell. The 5-time All-Star has a player option on his current contract and, given his talent, he’s most likely to decline the $37 million.

However, all this hinges on a bigger decision, the appointment of the new HC. The Pelicans assistant James Borrego led the race since J.B. Bickerstaff’s dismissal. But now, the Cavs have a clearer picture. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Kenny Atkinson will be the new HC, and contract talks are in the final stages. Things changed after Dan Gilbert, the majority owner of the franchise, met with the front office a few days back. Since then, the situation took a turn, and now it is looking imperative that Atkinson will lead the Cavs charge next season.

But does that solve all the problems for the Cavs? Atkinson is known for his gung-ho style of play, but that doesn’t answer the obvious question. How will Atkinson fit the incompatible pair of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland together? Above all, Mitchell signing a contract could be a stamp on Garland’s future with the franchise.

Will Donovan Mitchell’s Extension Force Darius Garland Out of Cavaliers?

Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell at the Cavs is a mirror image of the situation at the Hawks. With two ball-oriented point guards in the team, both often get in each other’s way rather than amplifying. The story throughout the season was about Garland staying and Mitchell leaving. But with the new contract on the horizon for Mitchell, the 24-year-old might need to call his agent, Rich Paul.

It was quite obvious for a while that come next season there would be one of the two staying with the franchise. Donovan Mitchell averaged 26.6 points and a career-high 6.1 assists per game this season and an extension was much-deserved. On the other hand, Garland only managed to record 18 PPG. Having both in the team at the same time means two playmaking options, and two shooters in the backcourt, just like the Celtics.

But the Cs guards are well capable of being a two-way threat. This is certainly not the case for Mitchell or Garland and there’s a simple form of evidence present. Both of them averaged only 0.5 and 0.1 blocks respectively in the regular season. With their next-to-zero defensive ability, the duo becomes a liability in an offense-orientated system. Garland is only in his second year of a $197 million contract. This makes him a prime candidate to be an outgoing piece in the trade window with multiple teams in need of a true point guard. As mentioned before, Garland’s agent is Rich Paul and the Lakers are in need of a point guard. Do you see this move happening? Let us know in the comments.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what brand maker, Leonard Armato, had to say about the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe, check out this video