5 Reasons Why Donovan Mitchell Should Re-Sign With The Cleveland Cavaliers
Nobody knows if Donovan Mitchell is willing to stay in Cleveland because rumors about his future have been widespread since the Cavaliers’ exit in the second round of the playoffs this year. With the shooting guard missing Game 4 and 5 against the Boston Celtics, the Cavaliers fell in five games. Even with the disappointing end to the season, Mitchell had a terrific year by making the All-Star Team posting 26.6 points per game in the regular season and averaging 29.6 points per game in the playoffs.
Mitchell could be looking to play in a big market or perhaps play for a team of his choosing, but we propose five reasons why it might be in the shooting guard’s interest to remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the foreseeable future and sign an extension beyond the 2024-25 campaign.
LeBron James is unequivocally the greatest player in Cleveland Cavaliers history, leading the team to its first and only NBA title in 2016 after an unprecedented comeback from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals. Many Cavaliers fans believe such success may never be replicated but Donovan Mitchell has the unique opportunity to alter this perception. By leading the Cavaliers to the Finals, he can elevate his legacy significantly and potentially rival LeBron’s storied tenure. As the franchise eagerly seeks another hero, Mitchell can become the next cornerstone, creating his own legacy in a city starving for more basketball glory.
Mitchell’s best chance to achieve all-time greatness is with a franchise like Cleveland, which is hungry for success. Leading a historically underachieving team to consistent playoff appearances and possibly another championship would cement his status as a legend. The narrative of turning around a franchise and leading it to new heights would resonate deeply within the NBA community and among fans. So far, Mitchell has led the Cavaliers to two straight playoff appearances with a second-round appearance in only his second season.
2. Exciting Core That Could Be A Superteam One Day
The Cleveland Cavaliers boast an impressive young core with Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, each possessing All-Star potential. Garland and Allen have already earned All-Star selections, showcasing their talent and growth. This formidable Big Four, with an upgrade at the swingman position, could transform into a title-contending superteam in the Eastern Conference. With the right moves, such as trading Caris LeVert and Max Strus for a more impactful wing player, the Cavaliers could become favorites to clinch the Eastern title.
Not many teams have the exciting, youthful talent that the Cavaliers do. Despite injuries to key players like Allen and Mitchell, they managed to reach the second round of the playoffs this year, highlighting their resilience and potential. The future is bright for this squad, and Mitchell, as the team’s leader, would be at the center of this transformation. Staying with Cleveland means being part of a journey from promising contenders to championship favorites because the team ranked 7th in defense this year (110.2 PPG) and 13th in net rating (+2.5).
