Are the Cavaliers now NBA title contenders as a result of the Donovan Mitchell trade?
The Cavaliers made some big changes this offseason, most notably acquiring All-Star forward Kevin Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
This move immediately made the Cavaliers one of the most interesting teams in the NBA. Are they now title contenders?
It’s certainly possible. Donovan Mitchell is a young star who is just entering his prime. He’s averaged 24 points per game over his first three seasons and is one of the best two-way players in the league.
Adding him to a core that already includes Kevin Love, Andre Drummond and Darius Garland gives the Cavaliers a very talented starting five. They also have some good young players in Cedi Osman and Isaac Okoro who can contribute off the bench.
The biggest question for the Cavaliers is whether or not they have enough shooting. Mitchell isn’t a great outside shooter and Love, Drummond and Garland are all below average from three-point range.
The Cavaliers made a splash at the NBA trade deadline, acquiring All-Star swingman Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz.
The Cavaliers have been one of the best teams in the NBA since acquiring Mitchell, going 18-4 in their last 22 games. They currently sit atop the Eastern Conference standings with a 43-17 record.
Mitchell is a major reason why the Cavaliers have been so successful since making the trade. He’s averaging 24.9 points, 5.4 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting .452/.366/.851 from the field.
The Cavaliers have always been a good team, but with Mitchell they now have a true superstar and one of the best players in the NBA. With him leading the way, they are definitely title contenders.
The Cavaliers also added some depth to their backcourt by signing free agent guard Shaun Livingston. Livingston is a solid veteran who can provide leadership and scoring off the bench.
With the addition of these two players, the Cavaliers are looking like a very strong team. They have a lot of talent and they should be able to compete for a spot in the NBA Finals.
If the Cavaliers can find a way to improve their shooting, they could be a very dangerous team in the Eastern Conference.
