Cleveland — Donovan Mitchell As team CEO Danny Ainge said earlier this week, he disagrees that the core of the now-disbanded Utah Jazz “didn’t really believe in each other.”
“I don’t think we didn’t believe [in each other]Mitchell told ESPN on his first day as a Cavalier in Cleveland after the Sept. 1 trade. [Rudy Gobert]Let’s figure this out, let’s do it. And it didn’t happen. After 6 months with the team, I disagree with what he said. But in the end it’s his decision.”
Ainge, who was hired in December last year, traded Gobert to the Timberwolves in July with a big hit centered on draft picks, and also acquired a defensive specialist. Lois O’Neill in a separate trade before moving Mitchell to the Cavaliers on September 1.
The Cavaliers were one team Mitchell knew made him an offer, but he said he was shocked to be sent to Cleveland instead of his hometown New York Knicks. Mitchell, he said, was tricked into believing he was approaching Nick days before his deal was finalized.
“Very close. Not to mention I know a little more than most people, but it’s definitely very close,” Mitchell said. “I was really excited when I was traded.” [to the Cavs]but we were, it was close [to the Knicks].”
Initial trade talks fell through, but after the Knicks and Jazz reached an agreement, Cavaliers president Kobe Altman re-signed the Jazz in late August. Altman and Jazz general Justin Zanik, his manager, has completed his five trades in the past five seasons and closed a final deal within 48 hours. The Cavaliers traded three undefended first-round picks, two pick exchanges, and three young players for Mitchell.
“We have a great relationship with Utah,” Altman said. “We were just hanging out, hanging out, hanging out. And when they decided to pivot [away from the Knicks], We were there. “
Mitchell arrived at Cleveland’s Burke Lakefront Airport around 9 a.m. Wednesday to meet a group of more than 200 fans waiting in the hangar with Cavaliers officials. After that, he attended his first informal training session with his teammates in town for the start of his camp.Mitchell spent time on the floor with his All-Star teammates Darius Garland When Jarrett Allen Rookie of the Year runner-up Evan Mobley.
“We were able to create something really special,” said Mitchell, who worked with Garland this summer. I’m excited to play together, go out and win games.”
