If Cavs’ collapse continues, Donovan Mitchell’s future will face new question

ORLANDO, Fla. — Donovan Mitchell mentioned he deserves criticism. Here it comes.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are two video games away from having to think about buying and selling him this summer season, not as a result of he received’t signal an extension, however as a result of his becoming a member of this staff didn’t work.

I’m attempting to not be held prisoner by the 61 factors the Orlando Magic outscored Cleveland by up to now two video games. This is a 2-2 sequence. No staff has received a highway sport but, and the Cavs don’t even should for development. Tuesday’s Game 5 and, if crucial, subsequent Sunday’s Game 7 are in Cleveland.

Mitchell, although, has now performed in 9 playoff video games for the Cavs. The staff has received simply three, and he was actually good in simply two — when he posted 30 factors in a Game 1 overcome the Magic, and in Game 1 final yr towards the Knicks when he posted 38 factors in a detailed loss.

In two video games on the Magic’s residence court docket, Mitchell scored 13 factors Thursday in probably the most lopsided loss in Cavs’ playoff historical past. And Saturday, along with his staff sitting on a nine-point halftime lead, Mitchell couldn’t add to the 18 factors he gathered by two quarters. He took 4 photographs within the second half, missed all of them, dedicated 4 turnovers and was on the court docket for 11 of the 12 worst minutes any good Cavs staff has ever performed — a 3rd quarter Saturday wherein they had been outscored 37-10 and shocked to the purpose of clean stares and few solutions.

“I have to be better … it’s simple,” Mitchell mentioned Saturday, a theme he hit usually postgame. “Those games we’ve lost, I haven’t been myself. … As much of the success I get, I deserve the criticism, too, and I hold myself to that. My teammates probably hate that I’m saying it, but it’s just a fact. I can’t have 18 points in the first half and zero in the second, on four shots.”

In 4 video games towards Orlando this postseason, Mitchell has extra turnovers (15) than 3s (seven). He’s capturing 25 % from lengthy vary. In that playoff sequence towards the Knicks final April that left such a deep, darkish bruise on all the group, he averaged 23 factors (he’s averaging 21 on this sequence) on 29 % capturing from 3-point vary and three.8 turnovers per sport (like he’s now).

There had been so, so many issues for the Cavs this week in Orlando, and they’re price a point out. But, assuming the model of the Magic we noticed in Games 3 and 4 is roughly what we’ll see the remainder of the sequence, Cleveland will not advance if Mitchell performs as he did for many of these video games.

Mitchell is considerate, courteous to reporters he is aware of and clearly not afraid to simply accept duty. He is also an incredible expertise, with a closet filled with All-Star appearances to show it. Mitchell could possibly be, for those who actually give it some thought, the second- or third-most gifted participant to ever play for the Cavs, though he has solely been with the staff for 2 seasons.

Trading the property to accumulate him from the Utah Jazz in the summertime of 2022 was price it. I’d argue that time irrespective of how the remainder of this sequence unfolds. Mitchell turned the Cavs from a Play-In-caliber staff to 2 top-four finishes within the Eastern Conference. When he’s on, he, and due to this fact, they, are appointment viewing. His 71-point game final season is only one instance.

But there was an previous saying in regards to the final nice star to play in Cleveland that went one thing like this: For all of the drama LeBron James both prompted or appeared to draw every season, he at all times made it definitely worth the hassle. Those 5 NBA Finals berths and the 2016 championship erase all doubt.

Though Mitchell isn’t outwardly antagonistic towards his coach, the Cavs’ entrance workplace or his teammates the best way James typically was, his contract scenario forged a shadow over this whole season. At occasions, the strain to win and, past that, to make Cleveland as enticing as potential to Mitchell in order that he will settle for a four-year, roughly $200 million extension this summer season, weighed closely on the Cavs at massive.

But was all the inner battle — the worrying, strain and second guessing — price it if Mitchell doesn’t maintain up his finish of the deal by being the participant he has confirmed up to now he could be? I will always remember the present he placed on the with the Jazz towards the Denver Nuggets and Jamal Murray within the NBA bubble playoffs in 2020, or his efficiency in 2021. On each events, he was averaging north of 30 factors along with his star skyrocketing.

As Mitchell mentioned a number of occasions this week, “That’s who I am,” and likewise, “That’s why I am here.” If so, he hasn’t executed his half but.

As a resident of a group that has poor winter climate, excessive native taxes and a horrible monitor document for attracting NBA free brokers, it’s actually arduous for me to say there’s maybe a state of affairs wherein the Cavs ought to willingly commerce him and purchase a formidable array of property, as a substitute of ink him to a $50 million-per-year extension. And possibly that’s not even actually my level.

What is probably two video games from coming true is the Cavs, as constructed with Mitchell, don’t work properly sufficient. If they’re to lose one other first-round sequence, it will nearly absolutely set off huge modifications all through the group, with each potential angle on the desk.

Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff appears on throughout Game 4 of Cleveland’s sequence with Orlando on Saturday. (Ray Seebeck / USA Today)

Coach J.B. Bickerstaff, once more, will not be having an amazing sequence. He was in danger of losing his job early this season. He rallied the staff to go on such a magical profitable streak that, for 2 months, the Cavs had been one of the best staff within the NBA. Now, once more, he finds himself on the mistaken finish of teaching changes made by his opponent (up to now). Jarrett Allen, by far Cleveland’s most constant participant on this sequence, appeared to name out Bickerstaff’s defensive scheme in his postgame feedback after Game 3.

Evan Mobley is eligible for a profitable contract extension this summer season. Orlando reserve Mo Wagner appeared to chop proper by Mobley’s chest within the second half Saturday. Mobley completed with 14 factors (simply two within the second half) and 9 boards. As a staff, the Cavs completed with simply two offensive rebounds. It was the second consecutive sport wherein Orlando owned Cleveland on the glass. Mobley has carried out at an All-Defense stage for his three NBA seasons and made incremental enhancements offensively, however within the playoffs has been, now and again, pushed round. He is simply 22 and deserves extra time for his physique to fill out, however given the strain of taking part in for a win-now franchise, Mobley’s worth will come into question if the Cavs lose this sequence.

Darius Garland continues to be capturing over 40 % from 3 on this sequence however is averaging simply 12 factors — with simply 5 in that Game 3 debacle. Garland is ending the primary yr of a five-year, almost $200 million extension himself. Can anybody say, based mostly solely on the proof earlier than them, that the Garland-Mitchell pairing works when the video games matter most?

If we’re speaking in regards to the potential for main modifications within the occasion of one other first-round exit, there is no such thing as a legislation that claims that if the Cavs should half with one, Mitchell is the one who goes.

The Magic’s reserves outscored the Cavs’ bench 43-15, however midway by the fourth quarter, that tally was 38-4. The Cleveland entrance workplace’s two key additions final offseason, Max Strus and Georges Niang, are struggling mightily on this sequence. Isaac Okoro is headed for restricted free company, and after a pleasant common season, simply one of the best of his younger profession, he’s once more doing himself no favors within the playoffs. Dean Wade was unplayable within the playoffs final yr, and now, having a lot improved by the course of the common season, his absence from the staff due to a sprained knee is proving expensive.

Let’s cease there. The blame can movement in nearly any path for what’s transpired the final two postseasons in Cleveland, from roster development to struggles on the bench to gamers underperforming. But it’s not truthful to the remainder of the crew to let it movement at them, when Mitchell will not be pulling his weight in crucial video games both.

Of every little thing mentioned by Cavs personnel within the postmortem Saturday, outdoors of Mitchell declaring he deserves criticism, I discovered comparable statements made by Garland and Bickerstaff probably the most fascinating. They each mentioned, primarily, that when the Magic crank up their depth, make a run and dare the Cavs to battle again, Cleveland must “come together” in these moments. They had been suggesting it didn’t occur in Games 3 or 4.

Mitchell, in explaining what they meant, mentioned: “I might say we haven’t executed it collectively on the ground, however I don’t assume as a bunch we’ve pulled other than one another.

“When people say that,” Mitchell mentioned, “it’s more so we have to find a way to — when they’re pushing us off our spots, we can still find ways to execute.  … Whatever facet that means for each player is different, but I think that’s where that comes in. Being able to stick together in our offense.”

The Cavs should come together, right now, over Mitchell. Is he prepared?

(Photo of Donovan Mitchell: Don Juan Moore / Getty Images)