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When the Cleveland Cavaliers shocked the NBA world by trading for Donovan Mitchell this offseason, it was with the hope that he would elevate their young core from good to great.
So far, so good.
Mitchell is averaging a career-high 28.7 points per game on 43.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc (also a career-high). The Cavs, meanwhile, are 15-8 and sit in third place in the Eastern Conference, just a game behind the Milwaukee Bucks for second.
But it wasn’t a sure thing that Mitchell would end up in Cleveland. In fact, it was far from it. For most of the offseason, fans believed that the former Utah Jazz star was bound for either the New York Knicks or Miami Heat. Mitchell grew up in New York and was a massive Mets fan. His father, Donovan Mitchell Sr., is a longtime employee of the Mets and the team even wished Mitchell Jr. a happy birthday earlier this year.
Donovan Mitchell Almost Skipped Cavs-Magic Second Half After DeGrom News
That only fueled the fire of speculation that he’d end up playing his home games in Madison Square Garden.
Instead, he’s playing at an MVP level in Cleveland. But his love for the Mets hasn’t wavered. He’s so attached to the team that he nearly missed the second half of Friday’s win against the Orlando Magic to mourn for them.
“I wasn’t going to even come out and finish the game. I am hurt! I. AM. HURT!”#Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell to me about Jacob deGrom signing with the Texas Rangers.
Mitchell found out at halftime.
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) December 3, 2022
Mitchell told reporters that he found out that superstar Jacob DeGrom was leaving the Mets at halftime of the game. The ace signed a five-year, $185 million deal with the Texas Rangers.
Mitchell was so torn up about it that he almost stopped playing completely.
“I wasn’t going to even come out and finish the game,” he said. “I am hurt! I. AM. HURT!”
Thankfully for Cleveland, he continued to play. Mitchell ended up with 34 points on 12-of-21 shooting in the 107-96 victory.