When you look at the Cleveland Cavaliers roster, it’s Donovan Mitchell who stands out as the most important player on the team. However, the All-Star guard thinks differently.
During a recent interview with Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks, the All-Star guard explained the importance of Evan Mobley in Cleveland’s rotation. Furthermore, he called on Mobley to become more aggressive on the floor.
“My push to Ev is that I need 20 shots. But he has to go and say that, like ‘Give me the ball’, like being able to demand,” Mitchell said. “For us to be great, he has to continue to take a step…So I tell him like ‘Nah, we need more’. Demand it. If I don’t pass you the ball, get on my a**. If DG don’t give you the ball, get on his a**. If Ty don’t give it to you, get on his a***. And be okay with that..He’s ready for it, he’s excited for it.”
Mobley has the upside to be a top-10 or top-5 talent in the NBA. Mitchell clearly sees that potential and is trying to help his teammate become the best version of himself. If Mobley can make the ascension, Mitchell’s chances of securing an NBA championship will drastically improve as a result.
Cavaliers HC Believes Mobley Can Win MVP
When being interviewed during the broadcast of the Cavaliers’ Summer League game against the Indiana Pacers, Atkinson shared his lofty expectations for Mobley in the coming years.
“I don’t want to put pressure on him, but in the next 2-3 years, he should be in the MVP conversation,” Atkinson said.
Mobley played in 71 regular-season games this past season, averaging 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He shot 55.7% from the field and 37% from 3-point range. And while those numbers are more than respectable, it’s clear he’s only starting to scratch the surface of what he’s capable of.
Therefore, Atkinson and Mitchell are right to be pushing him toward what could become a potential Hall of Fame career.
Mitchell Hoping to Bounce Back From Cavaliers Loss
The Cavaliers were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs in the second round, at the hands of the Indiana Pacers. During the Cavaliers’ second game of the Las Vegas Summer League, Donovan Mitchell joined the broadcast and discussed how he’s using that disappointment as he prepares for next season.
“When you’re in hindsight, it’s always like, ‘okay, we’ve taken a step. You need this to take it to the next level,” Mitchell stated. “But, to be honest with you, and I think we all feel this way, it was a letdown for us, man. We let ourselves down, we let the city down. And, we let the organization down. We all felt it… Everything lined up for us to do that, and we didn’t take care of business. So, that’s the failure on our part. So, now the biggest thing is, take it, use it as fuel.”
Mitchell is the clear leader of Cleveland’s roster. Between him and Mobley, the Cavaliers should have enough elite talent to contend for a championship next season. And now, Mitchell has the added fuel he needs to approach the 2025-26 campaign with a renewed competitive fire.
The Eastern Conference is wide open next season. Cavaliers fans will be hoping the franchise can maximize its opportunity.
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