The Cleveland Cavaliers were 15-0 heading into their matchup with the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, they suffered their first loss by the score of 120-117. Still, they own the NBA’s best record, and that would make superstar Donovan Mitchell the best player on the best team. So does Mitchell have a chance at winning the MVP come the spring?
Does Donovan Mitchell Have a Chance at the MVP?
Regardless of Mitchell’s stat line this year, he will face an uphill battle when it comes to winning the league’s most valuable player. A guard has not won the award since 2018 when James Harden did so. When he did, he averaged 30.4 points, 8.8 assists, and 5.4 rebounds a night. The last three guards to win the award have all had record-breaking seasons when they won the MVP. Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double for the entire season in 2017, and Steph Curry was the first unanimous MVP in 2016.
On the surface, Mitchell’s numbers may not spell MVP, but he’s easily having the most efficient year of his career. The 28-year-old averages 25.3 points, 4.0 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game. However, Mitchell is shooting a career-high 40.9% from three. Adding to his solid stat line, the Cavs are the best team in the NBA. Cleveland is the fourth team ever to start a campaign 15-0, and Mitchell has the Cavs on track to finish with the best record in the league.
Since 2015, five of the nine MVP winners have been on the team with the best record in the NBA. If Mitchell has a strong season, his team record could play a big part in the MVP award. According to DraftKings, the five-time all-star is ranked seventh in MVP rankings (+3000). Sports Reference’s MVP tracker ranks Mitchell ninth, behind his teammates Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen.
Is It Realistic?
With the recent dominance of Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid, it seems nearly impossible for Mitchell to win MVP. However, the Bucks and 76ers are off to rocky starts which gives Mitchell a chance if the Cavs continue winning. During his career, Mitchell finished sixth in MVP voting during the 2022-23 season, his first year in Cleveland.
Based on the start of the season, Mitchell is likely to face his most fierce competition from Jokic and Jayson Tatum. Both player’s teams are off to a good start while they are stuffing the stat sheet.
LeBron James is the only Cavalier to have won the MVP previously. He did so twice, in 2009 and 2010. Mitchell would join elite company if he won the award.
The Last Word
When the Cavs traded for Mitchell in the summer of 2022, they could not have asked for a better outcome. Mitchell has become the face of the franchise in Cleveland, leading them to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons. Mitchell and his teammates are focused on bringing a second championship to the city of Cleveland this year. But, if the Cavs end up with the best record in the association by the end of the season, do not be surprised if Mitchell is in MVP talks.
