Cavs News: Mitchell the All-Star, birthday bash, don’t trade

Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images /
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The All-Star Starters were announced last night for the 2023 event in Salt Lake City, and Donovan Mitchell was among the five starters in the Eastern Conference. That means he will be leading the way on February 19th when he suits up in front of the fans he played for to start his career in Utah.

Mitchell is joined by Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant and East captain Giannis Antetokounmpo. Out West the starters are Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Zion Williamson and LeBron James will be the captain.

The full voting results were also released, showing that Mitchell and Kyrie Irving tied in the three-part voting score, well above Jaylen Brown, James Harden and Tyrese Haliburton behind them:

Darius Garland finished in a tie for eighth with LaMelo Ball, with plenty of deserving candidates above him. He wasn’t beloved by fans, finishing 10th, but it’s interesting to note that he was voted seventh by his fellow players (above Ball and Trae Young) and sixth by the media. It’s a longshot for Garland to make the team — there are only 12 spots, and 20 deserving players in the East — but that media vote perhaps gives a sliver of hope if NBA coaches feel similarly.

Jarrett Allen finished 11th among East frontcourt players, and Evan Mobley landed at 14th. Interestingly, Allen was picked eighth among his peers. Neither has a real path to making the team this season. Reserves will be announced next week.

More Cavs news

January 26th is the birthday for both Darius Garland (turned 23 yesterday) and Isaac Okoro (turned 22), and the Cavaliers went out and threw a birthday bash on the court at the Houston Rockets’ expense last night. Garland led all scorers with 26 points and nine assists, while Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen both pitched in double-doubles and Dean Wade had his best game since his return from injury with 15 points.

Everyone is talking recently about potential trade options for the Cavaliers to upgrade at small forward, and there is a great chance the team makes a move. On the site this morning we play devil’s advocate: what are the reasons for the Cavs not to make a trade? 

NBA news

The New York Knicks and Boston Celtics went to overtime and Julius Randle pushed the Knicks over the finish line in a 120-117 victory, with Randle pouring in 37 points on national television to put in his case for an All-Star berth. Another East contender went down in an upset when the Detroit Pistons beat the Nets in Brooklyn.

Out West, Luka Doncic exited the Dallas Mavericks’ game against the Phoenix Suns early with an ankle injury. Spencer Dinwiddie stepped up in his place, scoring 36 to lead the Mavs to a 99-95 win and further churn the crowded Western Conference standings.

Next. 3 reasons why Cavaliers should not make a deadline trade. dark

Coming up: The Cavaliers flew up to Oklahoma City and will take on the plucky Thunder tonight.