Since his arrival with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell has been dedicated to establishing his legacy within the franchise. The Cavaliers recognize his significance, having awarded him a three-year, $150.3 million contract extension this season. Despite the substantial contract, Mitchell expresses feelings of being undervalued in terms of his athletic prowess and overall skills.
Recently, Mitchell appeared on Carmelo Anthony’s ‘7 PM in Brooklyn’ broadcast, where he asserted his belief that he ranks among the top 10-15 players in the NBA. However, he feels that the respect he seeks is hindered by his lack of appearance in a conference final.
“Realistically, I look at myself in the top 10, top 15 players in this league. But I haven’t made it to a conference final. So for me to make that jump, I can’t sit here and get mad. I can sit here and get mad and use it as fuel,” Mitchell remarked.
“It’s an accolade-based world we live in, whether it’s right, wrong, or indifferent. For whatever reason, that’s just what it is,” he continued.
Donovan Mitchell’s Performance with the Cavaliers
Donovan Mitchell became a Cleveland Cavalier prior to the 2022–23 NBA season. In his inaugural season, he showcased his scoring prowess, averaging 28.3 points per game, along with 4.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists.
In his second season with the Cavaliers, Mitchell continued to excel, averaging 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per contest. His contributions played a crucial role in Cleveland finishing with a 48-34 record, landing them in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
Prior to joining the Cavaliers, Mitchell had spent his entire NBA career with the Utah Jazz, where he built his reputation as a premier scorer and playmaker.
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