This story was originally published by Dead Spin
Donovan Mitchell plans to sign a three-year, $150.3 million maximum-level contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to multiple media reports on Tuesday.
Mitchell’s deal includes a player option for the third year (2027-28), providing the All-Star guard the potential to return to free agency when he’s eligible for a five-year, $380 million extension.
Either way, Mitchell has the framework of a four-year contract — including the final year of his previous deal — worth $185 million. He confirmed he’s staying with the Cavs in a social media post early Tuesday.
Mitchell, 27, averaged 26.6 points and a career-best 6.1 assists per game in 2023-24 but was limited to 55 regular-season games. He starred in the postseason before sustaining a groin injury.
–Four-time NBA All-Star point guard Kemba Walker announced his retirement, thanking basketball for the “amazing journey.”
Walker was selected Most Outstanding Player of the 2011 NCAA Tournament won by UConn in 2011, months before Charlotte selected him with the No. 9 overall pick of the NBA draft.
He played eight seasons in Charlotte and subsequently played for the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks. Walker, 34, ends his NBA career with averages of 19.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists in 750 games (697 starts).
–Stephen Curry shared a public goodbye to “Splash Brothers” partner Klay Thompson, who is headed from the Golden State Warriors to the Dallas Mavericks in a reported sign-and-trade.
Curry posted a lengthy series of photos to his Instagram story, all of them featuring Thompson, his longtime backcourt mate with whom he won four NBA championships. The story concluded with a nod to the success of the unmatched shooting duo.
“Gonna miss you @klaythompson,” Curry wrote on Instagram. “Even though we won’t finish the journey together, what we did will never be done again. Couldn’t have imagined a better run with you and (Draymond Green).”
–The Warriors will acquire forward Kyle Anderson from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a sign-and-trade agreement, according to multiple media reports.
The Warriors reportedly are giving Anderson a three-year, $27 million contract and sending the Wolves cash and a future second-round pick swap.
Anderson, 30, put up 6.4 points, 4.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game in 79 appearances (10 starts) last season for Minnesota. He has career averages of 6.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 653 games (304 starts).
–With LeBron James expected back for his 22nd season, the Los Angeles Lakers are breaking NBA norms by guaranteeing the rookie contract for second-round draft pick Bronny James.
Bronny James, LeBron’s son who was drafted 55th overall, and first-round pick Dalton Knecht were introduced by the Lakers on Tuesday.
“Everything’s just been surreal,” Bronny James said at a press conference. “Just trying to take it all in by the days. … I’ve been extremely excited to get to work.”
–The Orlando Magic are bringing back center Moritz Wagner on a two-year, $22 million contract, ESPN reported.
The Magic had declined Wagner’s $8 million team option, making him a free agent last weekend. Wagner, 27, has been teammates for three seasons in Orlando with his 22-year-old brother, forward Franz Wagner.
Moritz Wagner played in 80 games (one start) last season and averaged 10.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 17.7 minutes.
In six seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers (2018-19), Washington Wizards (2019-21), Boston Celtics (2021) and Magic (2021-present), Wagner is averaging 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 333 games (56 starts).
–The Indiana Pacers are signing former No. 2 overall draft pick James Wiseman to a two-year contract, ESPN reported.
The 23-year-old free agent center averaged 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 17.3 minutes in 63 games (six starts) last season with the Detroit Pistons.
Wiseman has career averages of 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in 147 games (55 starts) with the Golden State Warriors (2020-23) and Pistons.
–Field Level Media
