Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell is setting high expectations for the upcoming NBA season, asserting that his team is poised to contend for a championship—if they can stay healthy. In an interview with Marc J. Spears of Andscape, Mitchell expressed confidence in the Cavaliers’ ability to build on last season’s progress and make a deep playoff run.
“We’re championship contenders when we’re healthy,” Mitchell said. “Last year, we grew in a lot of ways. We played a lot of different styles. Now, the trick is how do we continue to implement that style of play over 82 [regular-season games] and the final 16 [playoff] wins.”
The 27-year-old guard, known for his scoring prowess and leadership, is coming off a stellar season in which he averaged 26.6 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.1 rebounds. He led the Cavaliers to a 48-34 record, securing the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. While Cleveland managed to win their first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, they fell in five games to the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics in the second round.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
Mitchell’s belief in the team’s potential isn’t just talk—it’s backed by his decision to commit long-term to the Cavaliers this offseason.
Mitchell’s Leadership and Offseason Extension
Mitchell’s belief in the Cavaliers’ championship potential is reflected in his decision to commit long-term to the team. This offseason, he inked a three-year, $150.3 million contract extension, solidifying his role as the franchise cornerstone. For Mitchell, the decision to re-sign was driven by his belief in the Cavaliers’ growth, development, and hunger to compete at the highest level.
“The development, that’s part of the reason why I decided to sign,” Mitchell explained. “I believe in the hunger and the will that we have as a group.”
Mitchell is no stranger to carrying the weight of expectations. A five-time All-Star, he’s proven himself as one of the league’s top guards. However, leading the Cavaliers to their first deep playoff run without LeBron James will require not only his individual brilliance but also the collective effort of his teammates, particularly young stars Darius Garland and Evan Mobley.
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Last season, the Cavs reached the conference semifinals for the first time without LeBron James since 1993. It was a significant milestone, but Mitchell and the team believe they have much more to prove. “We haven’t accomplished what we needed to accomplish,” Mitchell said, stressing the importance of taking the next step as a unit.
A major part of achieving this will depend on staying healthy—a challenge the Cavaliers struggled with last season.
Health and Depth: Keys to a Championship Run
A major hurdle for Cleveland last season was injuries to key players. Mitchell himself dealt with a knee issue, while Darius Garland (fractured jaw) and Evan Mobley (knee surgery) also missed substantial time. In total, Mitchell, Garland, and Mobley missed 84 combined regular-season games, which hindered the team’s ability to maintain consistency and develop chemistry.
Jarrett Allen, the team’s defensive anchor, played only four of Cleveland’s 12 playoff games due to a rib injury. Only Georges Niang and Allen suited up for more than 70 games, highlighting how thin the roster became during stretches of the season. Despite these setbacks, the Cavs still managed to finish with 48 wins, a testament to their resilience and potential when fully healthy.
Mitchell believes a healthier squad can change the narrative in the postseason. “We found something that really can help bring us to the next level,” he said. “But the challenge is maintaining that level of play over the course of an 82-game season and then into the playoffs.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
The Cavaliers are deep, with a young core that continues to grow. Garland, one of the league’s rising stars, averaged 21.6 points and 7.8 assists last season, while Mobley, the runner-up for the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, brings elite defensive versatility. Add in the rim protection of Allen and the shooting of Niang, and Cleveland has the pieces to be a force in the Eastern Conference.
However, the road to a championship won’t be easy. The Cavs will have to contend with powerhouse teams like the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Philadelphia 76ers, all of whom are expected to compete for the top spots in the East. Despite the stiff competition, Mitchell is confident the Cavaliers can make their mark.
“We’re championship contenders when healthy,” Mitchell reiterated. “But at the end of the day, it’s on us to go out there and prove it. We’ve done a lot, but we have more to go.”
The Cavaliers’ journey toward an NBA title begins with their season opener against the Toronto Raptors on October 23, a matchup that will offer an early glimpse into how the team plans to build on last year’s success.
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