Where does Donovan Mitchell’s extension put him among the NBA’s highest-paid players?

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Donovan Mitchell is staying in Cleveland after he and the Cavs agreed on Tuesday morning to a three-year contract extension worth $150.3 million. The deal includes a player option for 2027-28, which will give him a chance to get an even bigger deal because he will hit the 10-year service time marker.

Questions about Mitchell’s future had been looming ever since he had been traded to Cleveland. But for now, those questions are going away as Mitchell got a massive payday.

Over the life of his three-year extension, Mitchell will be paid an average annual value (AAV) of $50.1 million. Where does that put him among the highest-paid players in the NBA when his extension kicks in for the 2025-26 season?

Here is a ranking of the highest-paid players as of Tuesday morning for the 2025-26 season. All numbers are AAV and according to contract tracking website Salary Swish.

Deals with an asterisk are reported deals and cannot be made official until Saturday.

1. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (roughly $62.78 million)*

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (roughly $62.21 million)

3. Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks (roughly $60.89 million)

4. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers (roughly $58.47 million)

5. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (roughly $57.25 million)

6. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves ($55.272 million)

7. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets (roughly $55.22 million)

8. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns (roughly $55.11 million)

9. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (almost $53.84 million)

10. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers (roughly $53.32 million)

11. Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers (almost $52.9 million)*

12. Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns (roughly $50.2 million)

13. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers (roughly $50.11 million)*

14. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers (roughly $49.88 million)

15. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns (roughly $49.41 million)

Of note, as of the publishing of this post, Lakers forward LeBron James has yet to agree to a new contract. He opted out of the final year of a two-year deal that paid him an average of about $49.51 million, which would have put him 15th on this list.

Mitchell’s extension, which cannot be made official until Saturday, makes him the 13th player right now in the NBA to make an average of at least $50 million.

Among the players to just miss the cut of this list are Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves (almost $49.1 million AAV) and Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers (about $48.92 million).

Raptors forward Scottie Barnes and Pistons forward Cade Cunningham reportedly also agreed to max extensions following their rookie contracts. Barnes’ extension will put him at nearly $45 million AAV, and Cunningham’s new deal will pay him an AAV of almost $44.85 million.

Fanatics SportsbookUP TO $1,000BET MATCH BONUS

CLAIM OFFER

Must be 21 . GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ, CO, IL, IN, KY, MI, NC, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV); (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT); 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA); (800) 327-5050 or gamblinghelpline.org (MA), mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1800gambler.net (WV)

If you or a loved one has questions and needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the National Council on Program Gambling Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700 or visit 1800gambler.net for more information. 21+ and present in Ohio. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.