Donovan Mitchell knows the Cavaliers can’t keep asking him to carry everything.
That was the message the Cleveland star delivered while talking about why the 2026-27 season could look different for the team, especially on offense. After a run to the Eastern Conference Finals this past season, Cleveland is heading into the new year with bigger expectations - even if plenty of people around the league are still looking at the Cavaliers with skepticism after the way last season ended.
The Cavs were swept out of the conference finals and, by the end of that series, they looked flat. That finish has helped fuel the doubt.
Still, the roster has a chance to be better this time around, and there’s more continuity coming back. James Harden will have a full offseason with his new team, which should help build chemistry.
Cleveland also added forward Peyton Watson to bolster the defense.
For Mitchell, that all matters because it should lighten the load on him. He spoke about that idea recently on the Cousins podcast with NBA legends Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter.
“I’m not old, but I’m not young. So, like, being able to, you know, preserve yourself and kind of work on those different things and seeking people out to kind of trying to help with that.”
Mitchell’s point is clear: he can’t do this by himself, and Cleveland has given him more help than he’s had before. The rest of the roster now has to do its part, especially when Mitchell needs a breather.
Harden, in particular, could ease some of the offensive burden by taking pressure off Mitchell. Of course, Harden has his own playoff baggage, but the fit still gives Cleveland another way to keep Mitchell from having to force everything.
Mitchell’s postseason line showed just how much he was already doing. He averaged 26.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game in the playoffs, and he helped push the Cavaliers close to the NBA Finals. In the end, though, it wasn’t enough.
He recently signed a four-year, $273 million contract extension to stay in Cleveland, a sign of how fully he’s committed to the city. Now the Cavaliers have to match that commitment by giving him enough support to finally get over the hump.
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