As the 2023-24 NBA season gets set to kickoff, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Donovan Mitchell enter the upcoming campaign with lofty expectations.
But according to two NBA insiders, it will be important for the Cavs to get off to a strong start in order to keep their star shooting guard happy — and potentially, in Cleveland.
Appearing on The Bill Simmons Podcast on Monday, The Ringer’s Howard Beck discussed Mitchell’s uncertain future with the Cavs. In doing so, Beck revealed that the belief around the NBA remains that the Louisville product wants to eventually become a member of the New York Knicks.
“Donovan Mitchell, the last we checked, still wants to play in New York. At least that’s really the scuttle around the league, that he’d really like to be in New York,” Beck told Simmons. “The clock’s ticking. He has a player option for 2025. That means by next summer, he’s going into his walk year. That’s the courtesy call where, ‘I’m going to leave anyway. You might as well move me now.’
“It doesn’t have to be the Knicks. It could be somewhere else. But I think the clock is ticking. This is a really big important year for the Cavs.”
Added Simmons: “I couldn’t agree more. And I would even say an important first three months. Because if it doesn’t start out great, then the Mitchell stuff will start. And it’s going to start on podcasts like this. Because I am convinced he is not long for Cleveland.”
Howard Beck: "Donovan Mitchell last we checked still wants to play in NY…still kinda the scuttlebutt…
"…clock ticking…important year for Cavs"Bill Simmons: "…important 1st 3 months…if it doesn't start out great [buzz] will start…I'm convinced he's not long for Cleveland" pic.twitter.com/JAt0mhkU5X
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) October 21, 2023
The Cavs acquired Mitchell — who had previously been linked to the Knicks — in a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz ahead of the 2022-23 season. In his first season in Cleveland, the New York native averaged 23.3 points per game, 7.2 assists and 5.0 rebounds en route to being named a second-team All-NBA selection.
The Cavs will kickoff their 2023-24 season Wednesday when they face the Brooklyn Nets.
