Cavaliers add All-Star D Mitchell, jump into East title hunt

CLEVELAND (AP):

WITH ONE bold, unexpected move, the Cleveland Cavaliers raised their profile in the Eastern Conference considerably.

They’re back in the title hunt.

The Cavs made official yesterday their acquisition of three-time All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell in a trade with Utah, and can start figuring out ways to best integrate his talents into their young core.

Considered outsiders to land the dynamic player for much of this off season, the Cavs swooped in and put together a package that the Jazz, which had offers from several other teams, couldn’t resist.

Cleveland sent guard Collin Sexton, forward Lauri Markkanen and rookie guard Ochai Agbaji to Utah, along with unprotected first-round draft picks in 2025, 2027 and 2029. The teams will also swap their first-round drafting rights in 2026 and 2028.

Sexton, who was a restricted free agent, signed a four-year, $72-million deal as part of the package, his agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports told the Associated Press on Thursday.

In adding Mitchell, the Cavs have, at the very least, entered the conversation to contend in the overloaded East, where Boston, Brooklyn, Miami, Milwaukee and Philadelphia are all considered championship-worthy.

“The acquisition of Donovan Mitchell presented us with an incredible opportunity to bring one of the NBA’s most dynamic young All-Stars to Cleveland,” said Koby Altman, the Cavaliers’ president of basketball operations. “Already a special and proven talent at just 25 years old, Donovan brings a competitive mentality that organically fits with the core group of this team.

“We are excited to see the impact that someone of Donovan’s calibre can bring to the Cavaliers with his ability to score the basketball but also make plays for his teammates.”

It wasn’t long ago that the Mitchell-Gobert tandem made the Jazz a team to fear in the Western Conference. Now, Utah are starting over with a new coach and at least 13 first-round picks over the next seven years.

Mitchell has averaged 23.9 points in his five pro seasons and will play alongside Garland, who improved across the board in his third year. It’s a smaller backcourt — both Mitchell and Garland are listed at 6-foot-1 — so there could be some defensive issues, but with Allen and Mobley on patrol, the Cavs do have proven rim protection.

Cleveland haven’t made the play-offs since James left for a second time in 2018, ending the Cavs’ four-year run to the Finals. They’ve been patient in putting things in place to take another shot at a title.

Mitchell gets them closer to one.