Cavaliers Star Gives No Indication He Wants Out of Cleveland

It’s a familiar story for Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell: Another early playoff exit; an experience he knows all too well from his time with the Utah Jazz, and now with the Cavs. Mitchell’s status for Game 5 was uncertain for a while following his ankle injury at halftime in Game 4, but the six-time all-star pulled through and did all he could to pull his team through on the back of a 35-point performance. Ultimately, Cleveland didn’t have enough to push the Indiana Pacers to another game. All season, the Cavaliers were accused of being a regular-season team, and they’ll have that title hanging over their heads going into the 2025-26 season. However, Mitchell isn’t worried about the outside noise and expects to be counted out, again.

Cavaliers Star Gives No Indication He Wants Out of Cleveland

Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell expects to be back next year; believes Cavs will be written off again

In a series where Mitchell had to do the brunt of the work due to injuries from his teammates, you have to credit him for doing everything to carry his team. Darius Garland missed the first two games of the series against Indiana. On top of that, Evan Mobley, reigning Defensive Player of the Year, sat out Game 2, as did De’Andre Hunter. While Garland returned in Game 3, he was clearly still hindered, and his production wasn’t near what the Cavs needed. As for Mitchell, it was an entirely different story. He scored 33, 48, 43, 12, and 35 points in five games. Had he not sat out in the second half of Game 4 after injuring his ankle, he very well may have secured another 30-point-plus performance.

Unfortunately, the numbers didn’t result in winning. A dejected Mitchell sat at the mic postgame to reflect on the series loss, including the blown lead the Cavs gave up in Game 5. The good news, if any can be taken at such a time, is that Mitchell strongly indicated he has no plans to leave Cleveland, and expects the Cavs to roar back next season.

“Couldn’t believe it. Didn’t want to believe it. It’s tough to win in this league. Give them credit. We didn’t do the things necessary,” Mitchell said, then continued on looking ahead to next season. “Getting beat down like this and y’all are gonna write some s*** about us, man. And that’s gonna be fuel for everybody. That’s what it takes. I’ve been here. We understand. We just gotta use it as fuel for next year. Y’all gonna write us the f*** off, man. But will be back. We let the city down, we let each other down, but we will be back. Everybody’s gonna write us off. It’s not personal. So what are we gonna do about it next year?”

Is running it back an option?

Generally speaking, the notion of breaking up a 64-win team, not to mention the top seed in their conference all season long, sounds insane. That said, the Cavaliers have been running with their current roster since Mitchell arrived in Cleveland. As a starting five, Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Max Strus were electric all year, and one of the best starting lineups across the league. As a group, they’ve only improved and succeeded more in the regular season, but the translation hasn’t shifted into the postseason.

However, considering a third consecutive season of going out early in the playoffs could lead to some changes. It’s not about blitzing through the regular season and winning a first-round series against an eight-seed; it’s not enough. It’s certainly not enough to get stymied in round two and left behind in the dust again. Where Cleveland goes from here is uncertain, but becoming a championship-calibre team is the next step. Today, the Cavaliers are not there.

 

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