Donovan Mitchell had a front-row seat to one of the summer’s biggest NBA surprises, and he made it clear he didn’t see it coming.
At Cavaliers media day, Mitchell said he expected LeBron James to choose either Cleveland or Golden State before the former Cavaliers star instead signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. Mitchell also said he was glad Cleveland landed Peyton Watson after missing on LeBron and losing Dean Wade to Philly.
The move shocked plenty of people who assumed James would return to Cleveland. Instead, he headed to Philadelphia on a two-year, $8 million deal, joining Maxey, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid. The 76ers also added former Cavaliers wing Dean Wade.
For Mitchell, the news landed in the middle of a season in which he’s already become the face of Cleveland’s current core. The Cavaliers brought him in from Utah before the 2022-23 season, and he’s produced big numbers in wine and gold, averaging 26.7 points per game in the regular season and 27.3 points per game in the playoffs.
Last season, Mitchell helped push Cleveland to the Eastern Conference Finals, the franchise’s first trip there since 1992 without LeBron. The run ended with a sweep at the hands of the New York Knicks, but the Cavaliers still showed their commitment to Mitchell by giving him a massive extension.
That deal came this offseason: four years and $273 million.
Mitchell enters this year with career averages of 25.1 points per game in the regular season and 27.8 points per game in the playoffs with the Jazz and Cavaliers. A seven-time All-Star, he’s been one of the league’s most reliable scorers, and Cleveland is set to lean on him again.
The Cavaliers’ projected starting five - James Harden, Mitchell, Watson, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen - looks loaded on paper. And their season opens with a direct showdown against LeBron and the 76ers in Philadelphia, a game that figures to bring plenty of energy.
James’ place in Cleveland history is already secure. He remains the best player the franchise has ever had, and the source also calls him arguably the greatest player of all time.
His résumé is staggering: first in NBA history in points, field goals, games and minutes; the only player top five all-time in points and assists; the only one to win three Finals MVPs with three teams; the only player with 40,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 assists; and the only player to reach 50,000 total points across the regular season and playoffs.
Across his career with Cleveland, Miami and Los Angeles, James has averaged 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. He’s also a four-time MVP, four-time champion, four-time Finals MVP, one-time scoring champion and one-time assists champion.
One day, Cleveland will retire his No. 23 jersey. And when that happens, fans may end up seeing 45 hanging next to 23.
In Other News...
Meleek Thomas Is Forcing A Cavaliers Camp Battle Already
Meleek Thomas spent Summer League making a convincing case that the Cavaliers may already have a real backcourt decision on their hands. The rookie guard was handled as a lead guard throughout the event and looked comfortable in that role, pairing aggressive scoring with the kind of playmaking Cleveland wanted to see from a young ball-handler. His production stood out immediately, and so did the efficiency behind it.
For a team heading into training camp with preseason minutes up for grabs, Thomas has already added some heat to the competition. The Cavaliers will get a longer look at how his shot creation and passing translate against NBA-level rotations, and that will matter as they sort out who can earn time behind their established pieces. If Summer League was the opening argument, camp and preseason should tell us how seriously Thomas can force the issue. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Added Young Frontcourt Depth With One Real Opportunity Ahead
The Cavaliers were among the teams making quiet additions as NBA clubs filled out training camp rosters for the 2026-27 season, adding another young frontcourt body to the mix. It is the kind of move that rarely draws much attention outside the building, but these contracts can matter for a team trying to keep its developmental pipeline active while sorting out which prospects deserve a longer look.
Around the league, several undrafted free agents have landed similar chances, with the Spurs bringing in Miles Barnstable and the Nuggets signing Boopie Miller, while other players are angling for opportunities with NBA teams or their G League affiliates after finishing college. For Cleveland, the immediate question is less about the headline and more about who can make the most of one real opening in camp and turn a low-profile invitation into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Donovan Mitchell Just Sent The Cavs A Clear Message
At Cavaliers media day, Donovan Mitchell sounded very much like a player settled in for the long haul. Fresh off his four-year contract extension, the star guard framed the deal as a statement about his commitment to Cleveland and to the city, while also touching on the broader NBA picture around him, including LeBron James heading to Philadelphia and the Cavs addition of Peyton Watson.
Mitchell also pointed to the value of having James Harden through a full training camp, a detail that speaks to how much this group is trying to use every available rep to sharpen its identity. The message from Mitchell was less about looking back and more about what comes next, with Cleveland focused on moving forward and building chemistry before the season begins. [Read more 🡒]