The Cleveland Cavaliers have locked up a major piece of their core long-term.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Cavaliers and forward Evan Mobley have agreed to a five-year maximum rookie contract extension. The contract is valued at $224 million and can be worth as much as $269 million.
Mobley, 23, was selected third overall by Cleveland in the 2021 NBA Draft and earned an All-Rookie team nod during his debut campaign.
In 2023-24, Mobley’s third season with the Cavaliers, the six-foot-11 forward averaged 15.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 blocks over 50 games played. He also shot 58 per cent from the field, and notched a career-best mark from deep, knocking down 37.3 per cent of his three-pointers.
Mobley missed significant time due to an arthroscopic knee procedure in the regular season, but returned to play in 12 post-season games with Cleveland.
For the fourth-seeded Cavaliers, Mobley averaged 16.0 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game in the playoffs.
Cleveland is keeping the band together after back-to-back playoff appearances. Earlier this off-season, it extended star guard Donovan Mitchell to a three-year extension.
There will be a new-look for the team on the sideline in 2024-25, however, as the Cavaliers fired J.B. Bickerstaff after their second-round exit.
The team hired Kenny Atkinson to take the reigns on June 28.
Mobley becomes the fourth player to sign a rookie contract extension this summer, joining Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, Orlando Magic wing Franz Wagner and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunnigham.