3 takeaways from Donovan Mitchell press conference for Cavs

Donovan Mitchell coming to the Cleveland Cavaliers was a surprise – even for Mitchell. As the news has sunk in, fans and team personnel are getting excited about what the All-Star guard will bring to the Cavs.

That excitement finally got somewhere to land this past week, when Mitchell arrived in Cleveland for his first practice and an introductory press conference. While both General Manager Koby Altman and Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff were on stage and spoke, the star of the time was Mitchell. What are some takeaways from Thursday’s time?

Cavs, Donovan Mitchell press conference takeaway 1: Ecstatic about joining Cavs

Mitchell started the press conference by confirming a report about where he was when he heard the news of the trade: he was golfing. When he heard where he was heading he immediately wanted to know who was going, and who was staying with him. When he heard that “DG, Ev, JA, Caris, Kev” were all sticking around, he whooped and ran around the course in excitement.

Mitchell said that the Cavs are a fun group with a camaraderie that has already been built, and he is able to join that. He said they were “young, hungry and ready” which was almost a quote from Hamilton (young, scrappy and hungry).

He also got into a few specifics of how he will fit on the court. He spoke to taking advantage of openings in the defense to drive, score and make plays. He also praised Darius Garland and Caris LeVert, and said he can spend some possessions as a “decoy” in the corner, opening up space for Jarrett Allen to roll to the rim.