The Cleveland Cavaliers are set to begin their quest to reach their first NBA Finals without LeBron James after stampeding through the Eastern Conference during the regular season.
None of it would have been possible without Donovan Mitchell, who recently revealed why he decided to re-sign with Cleveland this offseason.
Mitchell spoke fondly of the city and said it is a big reason he decided to commit long-term.
“The people are great. The city’s great. I love the cold too,” Mitchell said on “New Heights.”
Donovan Mitchell on Cleveland:
“Big part of why I came back. The people are great. The city is great. I love the cold too.”
pic.twitter.com/3d5Gk56ol8— ¹⁰ (@HoodiGarland) April 18, 2025
Mitchell said that as a New York native, the cold never bothered him, and those roots are what led to so many rumors over the past few years about him inevitably winding up with the New York Knicks.
Even after making playoff runs with the Cavs, the rumors never quieted until he agreed to the three-year, $150 million contract extension.
That allowed the focus to be put on bringing another championship to Cleveland, and Mitchell continued to blossom this season as part of one of the league’s brightest young cores with Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Travis Kelce gave Mitchell props for reupping with Cleveland and stressed the importance of the NBA keeping big stars in places outside of its major markets, and Cavs fans certainly hope Mitchell sticks around far beyond that extension as well.
If the Cavs can go on a deep playoff run, and perhaps win a championship, Mitchell is looking at becoming a legend in Cleveland.
NEXT: Jarrett Allen Reveals Cavs' Biggest Challenge Ahead Of First-Round Matchup
