The Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers made one of the most impactful trades of the NBA season — and maybe the league’s foreseeable future.
Donovan Mitchell‘s arrival in Ohio has been as good as advertised, with the Louisville product instantly embracing a leadership role and working as Darius Garland‘s perfect complement.
Notably, his efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, as he was just voted as an All-Starter for the first time in his career.
This is the first time Donovan Mitchell has been named an All-Star starter in his entire NBA career. https://t.co/MoMIK8TcfW
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) January 27, 2023
Mitchell had already been an All-Star over the past three seasons, but he was always included by the coaches as a reserve.
Perhaps, getting away from Luka Doncic and Stephen Curry and joining an Eastern Conference team helped him get the nod, but it’s not like he hasn’t earned it.
Throughout the season, Mitchell has averaged a career-high 28.3 points to go along with 4.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 3.8 three-pointers per game on 48/39/86 from the floor.
He’s playing the best defense of his career, and the young Cavs currently hold a 30-20 record and the fifth spot in the East.
Mitchell joins Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, and Giannis Antetokounmpo (team captain) as Eastern Conference starters, but maybe, he’ll head back West to play for Team LeBron.
For the first time ever, the NBA All-Star Draft will take place shortly before the All-Star Game, with TNT broadcasting it for fans all over the world.
NBA coaches will select the reserve players to round up the All-Star pool, and they will be announced on February 2.
Hopefully, Garland will join him in the big game.
NEXT: The NBA Honors Darius Garland On His Special Day
