3 takeaways from Donovan Mitchell press conference for Cavs

Cavs, Donovan Mitchell press conference takeaway 4: Surprise for Mitchell

When the Utah Jazz saw their season end in disappointment once again, Donovan Mitchell said he had a feeling that he would ultimately be moved. When Rudy Gobert was traded (in early July) he saw the writing on the wall. Even so, he believed what the media continued to report, that he was headed to New York.

He is from New York, so it would have been a homecoming for him. He would get to live close to his mom for the first time since 8th grade, as he attended boarding school from then on. Even so, that expectation didn’t diminish his excitement for Cleveland in any way, as he expressed above. Ohio is certainly closer to New York than Utah was.

Cavs, Donovan Mitchell press conference takeaway 5: Needs to improve on defense

Donovan Mitchell praised the defense of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, saying they “got him” once or twice last season and that having two seven-footers on the court forces offenses to “pick their poison” between the two.

Yet Mitchell also owned up to his own defensive shortcomings, stating that he has to “be better” and committed to improving and putting in the work.