The NBA constantly shifts as players find themselves in unique situations to build their teams. Then, the Cleveland Cavaliers created a solid team to become a serious contender for the Eastern Conference Playoffs. After finishing 8th in the conference and 3rd in the Central Division, the Cavaliers looked to upgrade their already talented roster.
This off-season, the Cleveland Cavaliers took a big gamble by trading three first-round picks in the NBA Draft (2025, 2017, and 2019), swapping two first-round picks (2026 and 2028) and trading three key plays to the Utah Jazz to receive three-time NBA All-Star in shooting guard Donovan Mitchell.
This move was a chance for Mitchell to move on to a team ready to make a serious contention for the Eastern Conference title. Mitchell has played at an All-Star level for the past three seasons with the Jazz. In his five years in the league, he averaged 23.9 points per game. He has shown to be one of the most consistent defenders in the league. Mitchell has also shown to be a high-volume scorer throughout the court.
Mitchell embraces the change in his NBA career as he becomes a key leader of a title-hungry Cavaliers team. He is set to prove why he is one of the top players in the NBA this 2022-2023 NBA season.
Top 20 NBA Players: #20 Donovan Mitchell
The Cleveland Cavaliers are now Donovan Mitchell’s team
It was clear that the Jazz were going nowhere with Mitchell, center Rudy Gobert, and head coach Quinn Synder after another disappointing early loss in the playoffs. Rather than attempt to give the Jazz more weapons, management felt the need to rebuild with a new outlook. There were opportunities for Mitchell to be sent to the New York Knicks, but the Jazz liked Cleveland’s trade package.
Mitchell now has a chance to become a key leader and spotlight player in a major market with significant history. The Cavaliers will give Mitchell the spotlight and his prime role as a two-court star.
He will even have a talented team lead around him, which is something he didn’t have at Utah. One player that will mix well with Mitchell is 2022 NBA All-Star point guard Darius Garland, who is an electrifying scorer and systematic passer. Garland averaged 21.7 points and 8.6 assists per game last season for Cleveland.
Mitchell has been playing as a point guard in many schemes for the last couple of seasons with the Jazz. He has been having to play as the No. 1 as Utah utilized an older Mike Conley and Joe Ingles. Garland’s primary control of the offense will allow Mitchell to set himself up in better scoring situations.
Mitchell will also lead power forward Evan Mobley and center Jarrett Allen as the starting big men. Both Mobley and Allen averaged 15 or more points per game. Mitchell will also reunite with point guard Ricky Rubio, who played in the first two seasons of Mitchell’s NBA career.
Mitchell has a chance to shine in a less-crowded Eastern Conference
Mitchell’s name and greatness were suffocated in a loaded Western Conference. While the Eastern Conference is not short of high-caliber players, the addition of Mitchell to a historical, young franchise such as the Cavaliers is highly significant.
In his five seasons in the NBA, Mitchell has never had a season where he accounted for less than 20 points per game, shot below 43% s of his field goal attempt, or accounted for less than a block per game. Mitchell’s best season was in the 2020-2021 NBA season, where he averaged 26.4 points per game, shooting a field goal percentage of 43.8% and a career-high of 38.6%. He also averaged 4.5 rebounds per game, 4 assists per game, and 1.5 steals per game. In his 39 games in the playoffs, Mitchell has averaged 28.3 points per game, shooting a field-goal percentage of 43.1%, a three-point shooting percentage of 36.9%, and a free-throwing percentage of 86.5%. Mitchell is one of four players from the 2017 NBA Draft class to have been selected an All-Star.
Mitchell is set to be the main star attraction of the Cleveland Cavaliers this 2022-2023 NBA season. His main role to provide elite scoring and defending for the Cavs. Mitchell will also guide a cast of highly dynamic players to become an elite team in the East. He has shown he can lead a team to the number one seed in the West, a conference with more elite teams. This 2022-2023 NBA season could be a bigger opportunity for Mitchell to shine as one of the top star players in the league as he looks to test his abilities this season more than ever before.
