Heading into the NBA offseason this past summer, the Cleveland Cavaliers were a team that many believed would make some drastic changes, with superstar guard Donovan Mitchell potentially being on the move if he didn’t sign a contract extension with the team.
All signs pointed to Mitchell not signing a lucrative extension with the Cavaliers, which sparked many trade rumors around the league, with the talented guard being linked to several NBA teams looking to upgrade their backcourt.
Ultimately, a surprising thing happened with the extent of the team’s moves, which came down to the firing of head coach JB Bickerstaff, with the team eventually bringing in Kenny Atkinson to be the new leader on the sideline in Cleveland.
The team was able to keep their core of star players intact, with Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen set to run it back for the upcoming 2024-25 NBA season.
With the team keeping its core together, Mitchell believes that the Cavaliers will be a legitimate NBA title contender this season via NBA on ESPN.
“I think we’re a championship contender,” Mitchell said.
"I think we're a championship contender." ?
Donovan Mitchell with @WindhorstESPN on why he believes he can contend for a title in Cleveland ? pic.twitter.com/6CuSvq3WjH
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 10, 2024
Although the Cavaliers didn’t have to break up their talented core of players and avoided having to trade Mitchell, the Eastern Conference is vastly improved at the top, with the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers making substantial moves to improve.
Only time will tell whether the Cavaliers have what it takes to contend with the Knicks, 76ers and defending NBA champion Boston Celtics, as it will be a challenge to compete with the best of the best in the East for the foreseeable future.
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