The Cleveland Cavaliers seemingly struck gold when they traded for Donovan Mitchell.
They needed a star player and pounced on the opportunity to acquire Mitchell this offseason.
Mitchell has been everything Cavaliers fans could have hoped for.
He is scoring at an elite level (27.6 points per game) and has led the Cavs to the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Cleveland fans have not had a star player like Mitchell since LeBron James left.
Mitchell is even scoring at a rate that only James can match.
According to NBA History, Mitchell has 10 40-point games this season which ties James for the most in a season in Cavs history.
Donovan Mitchell has 10 games with 40+ PTS this season.
That ties LeBron James for the most 40+ point games in a season in Cavs history. pic.twitter.com/ahmIPmuPNf
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) March 29, 2023
While Mitchell still has a long way to go to match the impact James brought to Cleveland, he is having a great first year.
The 26-year-old has a 71-point game this year, which is the best mark in Cavs history.
He has taken his scoring ability to a new level, and that is a big reason for the Cavaliers’ success.
With only five games left in the regular season, Mitchell needs one more 40+ point game to surpass James.
But, where he can establish himself as a Cavs legend is with a long playoff run.
The Cavs can make some noise in the playoffs, but Mitchell will need to be at his best.
Mitchell has been a good playoff performer in his career, averaging 28.3 points per game.
Cavaliers fans have to be thrilled with him in his first season, as he looks like a franchise cornerstone for many years to come.
NEXT: The Cavaliers Can Finally Begin A New Era
