There isn’t a team in the NBA that has been as hot as the Cleveland Cavaliers over the last few weeks. They have ascended the Eastern Conference, currently residing in second place behind the Boston Celtics on the back of two winning streaks of at least eight games.
Despite that success, Cleveland seems to still be flying under the radar. They are performing at a level the franchise has never seen without LeBron James on the roster, as the 14-1 stretch they recently went on hasn’t been topped in franchise history without James.
The Cavaliers are riding high currently, but there is some negative energy surrounding the franchise. That is because no matter how well they play, it sounds like the currently constructed core isn’t going to be together for the long haul.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Donovan Mitchell & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
Cleveland’s fortunes changed when Donovan Mitchell was acquired from the Utah Jazz during the 2022 offseason. That reportedly wasn’t the team Mitchell was hoping to land with, as the New York Knicks and Miami Heat were his preferred destinations.
Despite the Cavaliers finding success with him on the team, those rumors have not slowed down. In fact, one Eastern Conference executive who spoke to Howard Beck of The Ringer made a bold guarantee about the All-Star guard’s future.
“There’s no doubt he’s leaving once his contract ends,” the Eastern Conference exec said about Donovan Mitchell.
That certainly isn’t going to make the Cavaliers or their fans feel good. The partnership between Mitchell and Cleveland never felt like a long-term one, but with executives around the NBA now speaking about the likelihood of a divorce, it feels that much more real.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Donovan Mitchell & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
The 2024 NBA offseason is going to be a huge one for the Cavaliers. Will they attempt to run it back with Mitchell knowing they could risk him leaving for nothing as a free agent in 2025? Or will they look to move him and recoup some value on the trade market?
It will be a painstaking decision to make. With Mitchell in the fold, the Cavaliers can continue ascending to become title contenders. Without him, even with a strong core of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen remaining, it feels as if their window of contention would be closed until they make another star-studded acquisition.
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