THE ” threatening cloud ”, as he says, has dissipated. After the fog surrounding his personal situation, Donovan Mitchell sees things more clearly: this summer, he signed a three-year contract extension for $150 million.
“ I can come here and breathe “, he blurted out today in front of the press to clearly support his fatigue with the subject and his relief at having found a way out. And bury a little more the rumors of his desire to play in New York or elsewhere.
Because the 28-year-old spent much of last season answering questions about his commitment to the Cavs. Rumors all the more pressing after the team's road trip against the Celtics from which Donovan Mitchell would have remembered ” immature attitude » from some teammates.
“ This is the first time in three years that the media hasn't asked me what I need to do to stay somewhere. The importance of this issue should not be underestimated. Not only for me, but also for my teammates and to answer these questions, because it's also something concrete », notes the rear.
His contract is not the end goal
The rear finds this situation “ refreshing » for him. He says he's happy to be in Cleveland, to be part of this group. “ The most important thing is that now that I have signed the contract and we are here, there are expectations. It's not like we just signed and that's the end goal », continues the former Jazz player according to whom we expect the Cavs to achieve “ big things “.
Position himself as a candidate for the title for example, as he expressed a few days ago, provided that the group remains in good health. The person concerned is in good physical condition after having experienced knee problems throughout last season.
As a result, he waited longer than usual before starting his offseason program, in order to give his body more time to recover. “ I'm not 22 anymore, but I'm not 33 either », summarizes the one who also has a full-time chef to monitor his nutrition. His hunger for victories remains intact.
| Donovan Mitchell | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | UTH | 79 | 33 | 43.7 | 34.0 | 80.5 | 0.7 | 3.1 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 2.7 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 20.5 |
| 2018-19 | UTH | 77 | 34 | 43.2 | 36.2 | 80.6 | 0.8 | 3.3 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 23.8 |
| 2019-20 | UTH | 69 | 34 | 44.9 | 36.6 | 86.3 | 0.8 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 0.2 | 24.0 |
| 2020-21 | UTH | 53 | 33 | 43.8 | 38.6 | 84.5 | 0.9 | 3.5 | 4.4 | 5.2 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 26.4 |
| 2021-22 | UTH | 67 | 34 | 44.8 | 35.5 | 85.3 | 0.8 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 0.2 | 25.9 |
| 2022-23 | KEY | 68 | 36 | 48.4 | 38.6 | 86.7 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 28.3 |
| 2023-24 | KEY | 55 | 35 | 46.2 | 36.8 | 86.5 | 0.8 | 4.3 | 5.1 | 6.1 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 26.6 |
| Total | 468 | 34 | 45.0 | 36.6 | 84.3 | 0.8 | 3.5 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 24.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
