Changes for Cavs if Garland misses games: More Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell is ostensibly listed as a shooting guard, and throughout his career he has tended to play alongside another point guard, be that George Hill, Ricky Rubio, Mike Conley or now Darius Garland. Yet his passing ability has grown significantly since entering the league, and it’s not a stretch to call Mitchell a point guard.
In Wednesday’s loss to the Raptors, Mitchell’s passing was on full display. He totaled nine assists, a number he only reached five times all of last season, running the offense and diming up players around him. He already has some nice chemistry with Jarrett Allen, and he was looking to the perimeter often for shooters like Cedi Osman.
Whoever starts for the Cavs in Garland’s absence, Mitchell will almost certainly run “point” while on the court. Putting the ball in his hands makes sense as the team’s best offensive weapon, and he has proven himself able to punish defenses with his scoring and his playmaking.
Mitchell won’t necessarily play more minutes with Garland out; it’s early in the season and the team has other guards to provide depth. His role will change slightly, and more so the player pairings with him will adjust to better set up the offense for when he is on the bench. Two All-Star guards have become just one, if only for a game or two.