Donovan Mitchell came into All-Star Weekend with momentum-and swagger. Fresh off a surprising trade that brought James Harden to Cleveland, the Cavaliers have been surging, and Mitchell’s been right at the heart of it. With the team stacking wins heading into the break, Mitchell looked every bit like a player eyeing not just a strong All-Star showing, but maybe even MVP honors.
And for a moment, it looked like he might get there.
Mitchell’s squad of seasoned vets handled their business early, knocking off the World Team in the newly formatted All-Star showcase. That win put them in position to compete for the championship in the final game of the night.
But when it mattered most, youth won out. Mitchell and his crew came up short against a younger, fresher team that simply had more left in the tank.
After the game, Mitchell didn’t shy away from addressing the elephant in the room-age. With a grin and a bit of self-awareness, he offered a tongue-in-cheek explanation for why his team faded late.
“Our age caught up to us in the second game,” Mitchell said. “Not all of us, because I’m under 30, but you know…”
It was a playful jab, but the subtext was clear. Mitchell was referring to his veteran teammates-LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Kawhi Leonard-each of whom has an All-Star MVP on their resume.
Legends, no doubt, but also players with plenty of mileage on their legs. And in a back-to-back format, that matters.
The loss clearly didn’t sit well with Mitchell, who’s been playing with an edge all season. He’s elevated his game since the trade deadline, and the All-Star stage was another chance to show just how far he’s come. Even in a lighthearted setting, the competitiveness burns hot.
Off the court, though, Mitchell also found himself answering questions about a different kind of team-up-one that could shake up the league.
With LeBron James’ future in Los Angeles uncertain, the whispers about a potential return to Cleveland are getting louder. And naturally, the question came up: would Mitchell welcome that kind of reunion?
“As a Bron fan, to be able to be a teammate, that would obviously be special,” Mitchell said. “But that’s not something in my control.
I control what we got here. There’s always going to be reports; that’s natural, it’s gonna be a thing.”
It’s a measured response, but also an open door. Mitchell knows what LeBron brings-not just the legacy, but the leadership and championship pedigree. And with Cleveland’s core clicking and the addition of Harden already paying dividends, the Cavaliers are starting to look like a team that could make serious noise in the postseason.
If the front office keeps this group intact, and if the stars align, there’s a real scenario where LeBron might look at Cleveland and see a chance to finish his career where it all began-this time with a roster that’s ready to win now.
For now, Mitchell’s focus is on the stretch run. But don’t be surprised if this All-Star weekend ends up being more than just a showcase-it might be the prelude to something bigger in Cleveland.