Donovan Mitchell has already given Cleveland plenty of big moments, and he made his feelings clear before the season even started. In a sit-down with Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, Mitchell said he wanted to retire here and someday see his #45 jersey in the rafters.
That kind of connection usually points toward a simple basketball answer: build around the star. But through the early part of 2026-27, the Cavaliers may be finding that the cleaner answer is not always the best one.
Mitchell has been uneven to open the year, though he has picked it up over the last couple of games. The numbers still show how important he is.
With Mitchell on the floor this season, the Cavs have a net rating of 6.6. When he sits, that number drops to -5.6.
The offense, in particular, is about 12 points per 100 possessions better with him out there.
Still, the bigger question lingers: is making Mitchell the centerpiece the right way to go?
This feels less like a Mitchell issue than a Cavaliers issue. Evan Mobley, now in his sixth season, has only really taken one noticeable step forward since arriving.
The three-point shooting has changed dramatically, but the rest of his game has not moved much at all. He has been very good, but the lack of touches and consistency has limited him throughout his time in Cleveland.
Jarrett Allen has dealt with the same problem. He has not always gotten enough regular touches or minutes to stay effective, and Mitchell - along with Harden since being acquired - has not consistently fed him the ball enough.
That is where the Cavaliers may need to look in a different direction. Allen is questionable for the next game against the Hornets after missing most of the last three contests with a knee injury, and if he is available, he should be part of the answer.
Cleveland still has the option to lean into its size. Playing through Allen and Mobley could create easier looks for everyone else on the perimeter.
The issue is how often Cleveland lets its two seven-footers go possessions without touching the ball at all. Mitchell can score from anywhere, and he can also pass when needed.
But late in games, he can slip into trying to do too much. Even when the shots are falling, long stretches of hero ball from him and Harden are not the formula for winning much.
A bigger emphasis on the frontcourt could change that. It would keep Allen and Mobley involved, and it would open the floor for the rest of the roster. If both big men are getting only 8-12 shot attempts a night, that feels light; both should be closer to 12-15.
Kenny Atkinson has not shown much appetite for major changes. Harden has not been benched or had his minutes cut, even after a brutal start that has hurt the team on both ends. The closing lineups have also left plenty to be desired, even if injuries have played a part in the last couple of games.
Atkinson has done plenty of things well since arriving in Cleveland. But the rotations, the lineups, and the in-game adjustments have still been an issue. And with the Cavaliers sitting at 5-5 and not exactly rolling, it may be time to at least consider a different path.
If nothing else, the idea is there: play through the bigs, get them the ball more, and use them as hubs to create open looks for everyone else. At this point, why not at least entertain it?
In Other News...
Cavaliers Backcourt Gamble Is Starting To Look Like A Serious Mistake
The Cavaliers made a bold backcourt swing when they dealt Darius Garland to land James Harden from the Clippers, betting that the veteran guard could give them a higher ceiling in the postseason. Instead, the early returns have only sharpened the scrutiny around the move, because Garland has been the more productive player since the deal in the categories Cleveland cared about most, while Harden has looked increasingly like a star whose best days are behind him.
For Cleveland, the concern is less about one rough stretch than the broader shape of the trade. Hardens recent form and playoff track record have raised real questions about whether the Cavaliers gave up a younger, more reliable creator for a name that still carries weight but may not deliver the same impact when the games matter most. The front office wanted certainty at the top of the lineup, and so far the gamble has left the Cavaliers waiting for a payoff that has yet to arrive. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs May Not Be Done Turning To The Charge This Season
The Cavaliers have already dipped into their two-way pipeline this season, leaning on Tristan Enaruna and then bringing back Riley Minix when Enaruna went down. Minixs return gave Cleveland another look at how much value can come from the G League side of the roster, and it kept the Charge in the conversation as more than just a development stop. For a team trying to stay nimble over the long haul, that kind of depth can matter as much as any midseason trade.
With that in mind, there are a few names in Canton worth keeping an eye on as the season moves along. The Cavaliers could again turn to their affiliate if they need another body or want to reward someone who has earned a closer look, and the Charge have multiple players who fit that conversation. The next call-up may not be far away, which is exactly why this part of the roster still feels worth watching. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers Core Just Raised The Pressure On Clevelands Finals Window
The Cavaliers have built a roster that looks expensive now and only gets pricier from here, with Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, Peyton Watson and Jarrett Allen set to eat up a major share of the cap over the next three seasons. For a team trying to stay in the title mix, that kind of financial commitment changes the conversation quickly. It is no longer just about talent on paper, but about making sure the current core turns into something that can actually get through the East and into the NBA Finals.
Cleveland still has some room to maneuver, but not much, and the clock is already ticking on the window this group is supposed to justify. The front office has assembled a high-cost core with the expectation that it can contend right away, and the pressure only grows as future contract decisions come into view. If the Cavaliers are going to keep this group together and keep adding around it, the payoff has to come sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]