Cavaliers at a Crossroads: Donovan Mitchell’s Future Looms Large as Cleveland Slides
The Cleveland Cavaliers were supposed to be building something. After a 7-3 start to the season, it looked like they were picking up where they left off after finishing with the Eastern Conference’s best record last year.
But fast forward to mid-December, and the script has flipped dramatically. The Cavs have dropped to 15-13, clinging to the eighth seed, and the warning lights are flashing across the franchise.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a rough patch. This is a team spiraling.
Last season, Cleveland didn’t lose their 13th game until March. This year, they’ve already hit that mark before Christmas.
Injuries have certainly played a role-this group still hasn’t seen a game where the entire rotation is healthy-but even when most of the roster has been available, the results haven’t followed. The Cavs have dropped games to teams they should be beating, and they’ve now suffered their second three-game skid of the season.
Offensively, the numbers are troubling. Cleveland is launching the second-most threes in the league but connecting at just 33.8%-good for 28th in the NBA.
That’s a brutal combination, and it’s killing their spacing and rhythm. For a team that was expected to take a leap, this version of the Cavaliers looks like it’s stuck in reverse.
And at the center of it all is Donovan Mitchell.
Mitchell’s Dominance, But at What Cost?
Mitchell has been nothing short of electric. He’s averaging a career-best 30.7 points per game, shooting 38.3% from beyond the arc, and doing everything he can to keep this team afloat. But the burden is clearly wearing on him.
In the Cavs’ recent 127-111 loss to the Bulls, Mitchell’s frustration was visible. Sitting on the bench, he looked more than just upset-he looked worn down.
To his side, Darius Garland sat quietly, seemingly checked out. The body language said it all: this team isn’t just losing games, it’s losing belief.
Mitchell has never publicly voiced a desire to leave Cleveland, but he’s made it clear that he’s chasing a championship. And right now, the Cavs don’t look anywhere close to being that kind of team.
Next season is Mitchell’s final guaranteed year under contract, with a player option for 2027-28. If things don’t turn around-and soon-Mitchell could look to take control of his future this summer.
The Core Four Under Pressure
The Cavaliers built their current roster around a young, talented core: Mitchell, Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. But the cracks are showing.
Mobley, once seen as the franchise’s future cornerstone, has struggled with efficiency and hasn’t taken the offensive leap many hoped for. Garland, still working back from offseason toe surgery, doesn’t look like himself yet. And while Allen continues to do the dirty work inside, he can’t carry the scoring load this team needs.
That’s left Mitchell to do the heavy lifting, and it’s clearly not sustainable. If his co-stars can’t offer more, the Cavs may have no choice but to reassess the structure of this roster.
Rival teams are already watching closely, with Garland reportedly drawing interest as a potential trade piece. And if Cleveland senses Mitchell’s commitment is wavering, they’ll have to make some hard decisions this offseason.
The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
This isn’t just about salvaging a season anymore-it’s about keeping a star. The Cavaliers gave up control of their draft picks through 2030 to land Mitchell in 2022. Losing him, especially for nothing, would be a devastating blow for a franchise that believed it was on the rise.
Mitchell holds the cards. If he signals this summer that he’s not planning to stick around, Cleveland will be backed into a corner.
Do they gamble on a turnaround and risk losing him for nothing? Or do they pivot early and try to recoup assets while they still can?
Either way, the front office can’t afford to stand still. The Cavs are in the middle of a storm of their own making, and the path forward is murky. What’s clear is this: if things don’t change fast, the Donovan Mitchell era in Cleveland might be remembered not for what it was, but for what it could’ve been.