Donovan Mitchell opens up about the Cavs’ bet on James Harden: ‘We both want a championship’
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The two men who are now tasked with leading the Cleveland Cavaliers got on the phone and talked Tuesday night.
Donovan Mitchell and James Harden spoke about roles. They talked about family. They spoke about the big picture — and their desire to play until June and into the NBA Finals. They talked about their long, winding road as opponents and how they are now, somewhat unexpectedly, teammates.
They have each had their disappointments from a winning standpoint. Mitchell has played on terrific teams, but has never reached a conference finals. Harden once played in the NBA Finals, back in 2012, and came closest in 2015 and 2018, when the Golden State Warriors stood between him and another trip each time.
On Wednesday night, in the wake of being traded for guard Darius Garland, Harden skipped the reunion at Intuit Dome because the communication between him and Mitchell became top priority.
How the two guards learn to play with and for each other may ultimately define Cleveland’s season.
“We both know that it’s going to be an adjustment,” Mitchell told The Athletic on Wednesday night. “But, we’re excited. I’m excited about what he can do for me as a player, and I’m excited about what he can do for our team as a whole. We want the same thing. We both want a championship.
“So, at the end of the day, we’re shooting for the same goals, and we have to go about trying to win at a high level.”
On Wednesday night, as the Cavaliers faced the Clippers in a game dripping with ironic timing, both teams were short of their envisioned final forms, but there is no doubt about the air of excitement that could be felt in Cleveland’s locker room. The Cavs feel they’ve made a move with the potential to vault them toward the top of the Eastern Conference — and give a season with many rough spots a clearer upside.
Harden’s presence is key for that.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson labeled the incoming point guard one of the best passers of all time. Shooting guard Sam Merrill described Harden as a player who makes his teammates better.
Even at 36, Harden remains one of the best point guards in the NBA, still capable of putting up 25 points per game and 10 assists on any given night.
For a team that’s relied so much this season on Mitchell’s ability to create, Harden being on the floor and being available will be a welcomed sight in Cleveland. It also fits Atkinson’s penchant of keeping a true playmaker on the floor at all times.
“I think we’re all excited to get him here and get going,” Merrill told The Athletic. “I’m really happy that he’s going to be in our system. Obviously, he’s one of the greatest scorers and passers of all-time. He’s one of the great playmakers to ever play the game. He’s going to make all of our lives easier. We hope that his presence will take us to the next level.”
The fit, however, isn’t seamless. That’s what Mitchell and Harden have to figure out.
Harden will be the most talented guard Mitchell has ever played with. Mitchell will be among the most talented guards that Harden ever played with. In that sense, Harden has to draw from his experience of playing with prime Kyrie Irving with the Brooklyn Nets.
Mitchell is accustomed to having the ball. Harden has spent much of his career at his best with it. In Houston, Harden was heliocentric as he was essentially responsible for creating almost all of the Rockets’ offense. As he’s aged, his game has evolved, but concessions will still be required.
There will only be one ball. And there are a gaggle of other Cleveland players, including Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, who will command touches as well.
“We know that there is going to be a period where we have to adjust,” Mitchell said. “I’m going to have to figure out how to play without the ball a little bit. I’ve done it before, and I’m going to have to do it again. But, James is one of the best to ever do it. I think we both want the same things, and we both have the same goal in mind. We just want to win, and I think that we’re willing to do what it takes.”
It’s no secret that the Cavaliers have had some struggles, and some doubt as to what their ceiling is. That circles all the way back to last season’s second-round exit to the Indiana Pacers when injuries and inconsistencies collided with questions of whether Cleveland was good enough.
Harden’s superpower is that he will raise the floor for the Cavaliers in the regular season. Once he truly gets rolling, expect Cleveland to stack wins down the stretch. The Cavs currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference, but they are within earshot of the No. 2 spot.
If Cleveland can find its way to a high seed, the organization believes it will have as good a chance as any other contender in the East to make a deep playoff run.
“We think James will elevate everyone on our team,” Atkinson said. “We are excited for our big men. We are excited for Sam. We think he is going to be good for all of us. He’s one of the best passers to ever play the game.”
