5 key questions for the Cavaliers on 2023 Media Day
3. Question for Donovan Mitchell: How do you handle your name always being brought up as a flight risk?
A lot of media members are vultures looking for soundbites. Questions about him not signing his extension are coming, yet he still has two years left before he can opt-out via player option.
On Sept. 4, ESPN reporter Andrew Lopez pointed out that “The Donovan Mitchell to New York Knicks rumors still haven’t gone away,” even with Cleveland’s move for him before last season.
Then, on the 21st, ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst said, “I do not expect him to sign an extension with the Cavs this summer.”
For all this subject’s attention, Mitchell seems content in The Land. How he answers this question or a version of “Why didn’t you commit long term?” could greatly extinguish or amplify the noise.
4. Max Strus question: What do you bring to the Cavaliers that you didn’t/couldn’t show with the Miami Heat?
71 percent of Strus’ attempts come behind the arc. This was a 7.1 percent decrease from the previous season (2021-22) as he was involved in more fastbreak plays and 37 possessions with halfcourt cuts. Strus is a better athlete than advertised. Next to the gravity of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, Strus should have no trouble getting involved in more inside cuts when his defender is spying on one of them or when he gets loose from an off-ball screen.
In his last year with the Heat, he had 15 games, regular season and playoffs combined, logging at least four assists. Perhaps he can improve as a playmaker, executing quick reads on the go, or as a scorer inside the arc. His upgrades since 2021 prove that he’s not done learning new skills.