The Cleveland Cavaliers have just announced that Donovan Mitchell will be absent for tonight’s game against the Phoenix Suns. Assuming this is his 18th loss so far this regular season. The shooting guard will only be able to play a maximum of 64 games, thus ruling him out of any option to qualify for end-of-season awards.
Mitchell, who took the Cavs on his back during the injuries to Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, is the main culprit why the Ohioans are third in the East and have gone as far as second. Averaging 28 points, 6.2 assists (career high) and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 55.5% from the field, it’s hard to argue against his candidacy for the All-NBA teams.
The guard was All-NBA for the first time in his career last year (second team). Which implies that, at the end of his contract next year, he will have to necessarily reach that status in 24-25 to be eligible to sign a super maximum (35% of the total salary cap). Mitchell thus becomes the potential first major financial victim of the 65-game rule.
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On the other hand, now the Cavaliers will be able to take their star’s knee recovery with complete patience. Especially thinking about the playoffs that begin in just over a month.
(Cover photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
2024-03-11 19:00:00
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