Donovan Mitchell Says Rumor About Him Being Frustrated With Cavaliers Teammates Is False

The Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs in five games. Mitchell didn’t play in Games 4 or 5 because of a left calf injury. 

This is a huge summer for the Cavaliers. Mitchell and Evan Mobley are eligible for extensions and head coach JB Bickerstaff could be fired. 

A five-time All-Star, Mitchell appeared in 55 games during the 2023-24 regular season. He averaged 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists while shooting 46.2% from the field, 36.8% from 3 and 86.5% from the free-throw line. 

According to NBA insiders Shams Charania, Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, Mitchell didn’t have great confidence in Bickerstaff, whose job is in serious jeopardy. Interestingly, Mitchell didn’t react to this rumor on social media. 

“League sources briefed on the Cavaliers’ mindset told The Athletic that Bickerstaff’s job is in serious jeopardy after five and a half years as head coach, following the team’s season-ending loss in Game 5 of the second round to the Celtics,” Charania, Vardon and Lloyd wrote. “Two league sources said the team is likely to take some time — multiple days — to make a decision. … Multiple league sources have said, for months, that Donovan Mitchell did not have great confidence in Bickerstaff, and he was not alone.

“Several players questioned Bickerstaff’s strategies, game management, practice habits and accountability measures, privately and publicly, throughout the season.”

Mitchell can sign an extension for up to four years and around $200 million this offseason. He has a player option worth $37 million for the 2025-26 season.

Most people around the NBA believe the Cavaliers will be forced to trade Mitchell if he doesn’t sign an extension this summer. 

Mitchell has career averages of 24.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists with the Utah Jazz and Cavaliers. He scored a career-high 71 points last season against the Chicago Bulls.