Donovan Mitchell didn’t want to discuss his future on Saturday after leading the Cavaliers to a win in their first game since long-term injuries knocked Darius Garland and Evan Mobley out of the lineup, writes Joe Vardon of The Athletic. There is already speculation that Mitchell, who has a $37MM player option for 2025/26, will end up somewhere else if he turns down an extension offer from Cleveland. Rumors escalated on Friday when the Cavs announced the prognosis for Garland and Mobley, but it’s not a topic Mitchell feels like addressing.
“My job is to focus on this,” he said, referring to on-court matters. “We have two guys that are out, so I’m not answering anything. And no disrespect. I appreciate that you have to ask the question, but I’m not going there with any of those questions. My focus is on these guys being out, us trying to find a way to get wins.”
Mitchell posted a career-high 13 assists as he took over full-time point guard duties in Garland’s absence. According to Vardon, coach J.B. Bickerstaff talked to Mitchell before the game about the need to get role players involved in the offense as they handle more responsibility with Garland and Mobley sidelined. Bickerstaff is also seeking greater production from center Jarrett Allen, who finished Saturday’s game with 25 points and 14 rebounds.
“J.B. said before the game, it’s not our job to go out there and try to be Superman,” Allen said. “It’s not our job to go out there and try to make up for everything that’s lost. It’s just for us to try to find one area that we can improve in and try to help the team win.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- Several contenders, including the Celtics, Thunder and Mavericks, have expressed an interest in Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart, sources tell James L. Edwards of The Athletic. Stewart has been one of the few bright spots in Detroit’s ugly season, averaging 10.2 points and 6.8 rebounds through 25 games. He signed a four-year, $64MM extension this summer and would be subject to the poison pill provision in any trade until July 1. Edwards also addresses trade suggestions from readers, saying he’s heard the Pistons don’t have interest in adding Utah’s John Collins or Charlotte’s P.J. Washington.
- After passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the Bucks‘ career leader in rebounding Sunday night, Giannis Antetokounmpo talked about what it means to eclipse an NBA legend, tweets Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “That a kid from Greece, a skinny kid from Greece that was drafted, supposed to play in the G League, be in a position to break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record, I don’t think anybody thought about that,” Antetokounmpo said.
- MarJon Beauchamp and Andre Jackson are both contributing to a Bucks team that needs production from its young wings, Nehm adds in a full story.
Is anyone interested in Troy Weaver?
The bucks needed the refs help to beat the rockets yesterday they aren’t going anywhere this year. Still want to know how Dillion Brooks got tossed when he was the one pushed. I get it his reputation follows him but refs should be held accountable for bs.
Dillon Brooks is the love child of Pat Beverly and Draymond Green
Did Giannis fight with the other team for the game ball after?
No because there was no Rockets player who scored his first career point.
I would rather Mitchell just be in Cleveland for the next 10 years, the core in Cleveland looks promising and I would like to see it through a couple seasons.
I hope Mitchell learns how good it feels and how much you win when the team moves the ball around. Whenever he isos up, it makes me groan in despair. Prime Melo and Prime AI couldn’t win championships with iso-ball. You can’t either. Doesn’t matter how good your supporting cast is. Iso can’t win championships, and it’s boring as hell to watch. To the point that the team looks better when only one of Mitchell or Garland is playing. And we know they can work together. That just makes it more frustrating.
I know of a team in New York, where Donovan Mitchell is from, that has more than enough attractive assets to make a deal.
the brooklyn nets baby
Yes … Brooklyn has the assets as well. Knicks and Brooklyn both have the assets to get it done.
“Stewart has been one of the few bright spots in Detroit’s ugly season” yeah right buddy literally every Pistons fan hates him
Stewart was a bright spot in the FO’s draft history, but then they decided they’d give him an early extension with the idea he’d play a different position than he had. Now he’s yet another dim spot.
I sure hope the pistons do trade Stewart. Described as “the heart of the team”, this team needs a heart transplant. I fully expect he’ll be a solid sixth man on a good team, but not this team.
I’d be surprised if the Celtics were really interested in Isaiah Stewart of the Pistons. I think someone just saw some old Celtics interest and brought it forward. To stir the pot. Celtics have the talent to go all the way now that they are playing as a team. I guess depth is always an issue and President Stevens’ job is to always be on the lookout. Trust in Brad. Go Celtics!
Celtics aren’t able to obtain Stewart, per the cap pitfalls-not unless they’d trade Horford as part of any such trade, but that wouldn’t be of any help for Detroit.