Cleveland Cavaliers Rumors | Hoops Rumors

J.B. Bickerstaff Says Beating Bucks Was "Great Step" For Cavs

December 22nd, 2022 at 10:59am CST by Arthur Hill

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo staged a “frontal assault” on the Cavaliers Wednesday night, overpowering a strong interior defense for 45 points and 14 rebounds, writes Joe Vardon of The Athletic. But Milwaukee lost the Central Division showdown, and Vardon suggests it might not be in the team’s best interests for Antetokounmpo to play that physical style.

Wednesday’s victory was important for a young Cavaliers team that’s trying to prove it belongs with the other contenders in the East, according to Kelsey Russo of The Athletic. Unlike the previous two meetings with Milwaukee, Cleveland led almost the entire way and was able to hold off several Bucks’ rallies. “Tonight, I think, was a great step for us,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We showed a lot of poise. We kept our composure. But the thing that was most impressive to me is we continue to do it together. There was no splintering. There was not one guy trying to do it on his own.”

Donovan Mitchell Discusses Trade To Cavs, Gobert Relationship, More

December 20th, 2022 at 11:28am CST by Luke Adams

Facing his former team for the first time since being traded from the Jazz to the Cavaliers over the offseason, Donovan Mitchell scored a team-high 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting on Monday, leading the Cavs to a 23-point victory.

Utah’s leading scorer on the night, with 24 points, was forward Lauri Markkanen, who was traded by Cleveland in the Mitchell blockbuster. Mitchell’s and Markkanen’s strong performances were the latest indication that the deal seems to be working out pretty well for both teams so far.

“It looks a like a win-win to me, and you love to see something like that,” Mitchell said, per Tony Jones of The Athletic. “It’s good to see Lauri doing his thing and the Jazz playing well. I’m happy in Cleveland, so sometimes, these kinds of things work out for the best.”

As Kelsey Russo of The Athletic writes, besides providing the Cavaliers with some much-needed scoring punch on the court, Mitchell has impressed his new teammates and coaches in Cleveland with his character off the court.

“I would love people to understand what type of human being he is,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “He’s an unbelievable person to be around every day. Ups, downs, roundabouts, eight-game winning streak, five-game losing streak, he never changed. And he was always uplifting, he was always positive, and he’s always thinking about other people first, and to me, that’s more important than all this put the ball in a basket stuff. Because those are the types of people you want to surround yourself with, and those are the types of people, and you see it, his teammates want to play with him and play for him because he’s that type of person.”

Before he and the Cavs hosted the Jazz on Monday, Mitchell spoke to Marc J. Spears of Andscape about being traded, the differences between Cleveland and Utah, the Cavs’ potential ceiling, and several other topics. The Q&A, which includes Mitchell’s explanation for why his time in Salt Lake City was sometimes “draining” off the court, is worth checking out in full, but here are a few of the highlights:

On his relationship with former Jazz co-star Rudy Gobert:

“Honestly, basketball just didn’t work. We live in such a world where it has to be really negative. Basketball just didn’t work. We didn’t see eye to eye. We wanted to both win, but we wanted to do it two different ways. It didn’t work. But as far as him and I go as people, I don’t hate him, and he doesn’t hate me. I wouldn’t say we’re the best of friends, but we’re not at the point where it’s like, I can’t stand him. … There’s no hatred. There’s no ill will towards any of that. Basketball just didn’t work out. It happens.

“… Honestly, it really started with COVID. Everything we did up to that point was under microscope to the point where we were getting evaluated on how many times we threw the ball (to each other). And that’s unfortunate, but it’s the reality of it. And it just didn’t work. I wish it did. I wish we went farther. We had the opportunity, but we didn’t. And we’re both in different spots now. But I want to wish him the best and I know he feels the same way.”

On when he realized the end was near in Utah:

“Realistically when we lost (to the Mavs in last season’s playoffs). You just felt it early. I didn’t think it would be this immediate. I didn’t think it would be everything. But I knew something was going to change this summer. I didn’t know what. And then with (head coach) Quin (Snyder) leaving I was like, ‘Oh, OK.’ And then Rudy getting traded, it’s like, ‘All right, let’s go.'”

On whether he thinks the Jazz should retire his No. 45 jersey:

“I don’t think I did enough. I hold myself to a high standard. Now, other people may feel that it should. I’d be happy and forever grateful, honored and blessed for sure for that to happen. But I don’t think I’ve done enough in five years to have my jersey up there with Karl (Malone), John (Stockton), Pistol Pete (Maravich), and Darrell Griffith. I got a long way in my career to go to continue to be better.”

Nikola Jokic, Donovan Mitchell Named Players Of The Week

December 19th, 2022 at 2:38pm CST by Rory Maher

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell have been named the NBA’s Western and Eastern Conference players of the week, respectively, the league announced today (via Twitter).

Jokic, the back-to-back league MVP, put up historic numbers during Denver’s 2-1 week. He averaged 36.0 points, 17.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 3.7 steals on .623/.333/.806 shooting, including 43 points (on 85% shooting), 14 rebounds, eight assists, and five steals in Wednesday’s victory over the Wizards, and an enormous 40-point, 27-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in Sunday’s victory over Charlotte. The Nuggets are currently 18-11, tied with the Pelicans for the second-best record in the West.

Mitchell, meanwhile, led Cleveland to a 3-1 week with averages of 32.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists on an excellent .539/.425/.882 shooting slash line. For the season, he’s posting career highs in points (29.5), FG% (50.3), 3PT% (42.4) and FT% (.889) for the 20-11 Cavs, the East’s No. 3 seed.

According to the NBA (Twitter link), the other nominees in the West were Anthony Edwards, LeBron James and Damian Lillard, while Paolo Banchero, Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Tyler Herro were nominated in the East.

Jazz Players Aren't Upset With Donovan Mitchell's Comments

December 19th, 2022 at 10:58am CST by Arthur Hill

Donovan Mitchell is ready to face the Jazz Monday night for the first time since his trade to the Cavaliers, notes Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune. Although Mitchell’s recent comments about “having fun again” angered some Utah fans, his former teammates aren’t taking offense. “I don’t really interpret it in any bad way at all,” Mike Conley said. “I think when you’re winning and you’re successful, when you have a career year and you’re playing well, you’re having fun. And I’m sure he had that same fun when we were playing really well, like we all did. So, you know, we’re all having fun now. I think everybody who’s been moving around and in different locations or the same location, we’re all having a good time, we’re all enjoying basketball.”

Carlisle On Mitchell: He's "Elevated Their Entire Situation"

December 17th, 2022 at 12:01pm CST by Luke Adams

The Cavaliers will host the Jazz on Monday and then visit Utah in early January, but Donovan Mitchell will likely make another trip to his former team’s city in February for the 2023 All-Star Game, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, who says no Eastern Conference guard has been better than Mitchell this season. “Donovan’s essentially elevated their entire situation here,” Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle said on Friday after Mitchell scored 41 points to help defeat his team.

Donovan Mitchell Reflects On Mavs' Role In His Situation

December 16th, 2022 at 10:04am CST by Luke Adams

After his Cavaliers got a win in Dallas on Wednesday, Donovan Mitchell reflected on the role the Mavericks played in his current circumstances, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required). The Mavs’ first-round elimination of the Jazz in last season’s postseason taught Mitchell some important lessons and hastened his Utah exit. “At the end of the day, they’re kind of the reason why I’m in Cleveland,” Mitchell said. “They did a great job in the playoff series. So, I’m thankful. I’m here. I’m glad to be here. Last year made me a better player. You take those lessons, you learn, and you implement them.”

Cavs, Love Have Mutual Interest In Extending Relationship Beyond 2022/23

December 10th, 2022 at 1:35pm CST by Luke Adams

Don’t expect Kevin Love to be on the move before this season’s trade deadline, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com writes in a subscriber-only mailbag. While the Cavaliers will likely peruse the trade market in search of a small forward upgrade, Love’s cap hit of nearly $29MM makes him unlikely to be dealt, according to Fedor, who points to Cedi Osman and Caris LeVert as more logical trade candidates for the team.

The Cavaliers and Love actually have mutual interest in extending their relationship beyond 2022/23, sources tell Fedor. Love will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, and Fedor wouldn’t be surprised if the veteran power forward ends up re-signing with Cleveland at that point on a “more reasonable number that works for both sides.”

The Cavaliers will be without Donovan Mitchell for a second consecutive night on Saturday due to right lower leg soreness, per Kelsey Russo of The Athletic (Twitter link). Love, who is battling low back soreness, will also miss his second straight game.

Cavs’ Mitchell, Kings’ Fox Out For Friday’s Matchup

December 9th, 2022 at 5:47pm CST by Rory Maher

Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell will miss Friday’s contest against Sacramento with lower right leg soreness, reports Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. The Kings will also be without their leading scorer, point guard De’Aaron Fox, tweets Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee.

As Fedor writes, Mitchell has been dealing with the soreness for a while. He initially sprained his ankle against the Warriors on November 11, which caused him to miss a game, and then aggravated the injury on November 28 against Toronto, when he scored a season-low eight points.

Mitchell, who is averaging a career-high 29.0 PPG with a career-best .496/.424/.890 shooting slash line, was limited during the Cavs’ shootaround on Friday and the team decided to be cautious with him on the first night of a back-to-back, Fedor notes. Caris LeVert will start in Mitchell’s place.

Fox, who is averaging 22.8 PPG with a .507/.366/.826 shooting line, recently disclosed that he’s been dealing with right foot soreness for over a month, and the pain obviously was bad enough to be ruled out tonight. Head coach Mike Brown said the Kings plan to take his injury “day-by-day” and will “see how he feels,” (Twitter link via Anderson).

Second-year guard Davion Mitchell will start in Fox’s place, Anderson adds in another tweet. Kings guard Terence Davis, who was previously listed as questionable, was also ruled out with lower back soreness.

Cavs’ Rubio, Bucks’ Ingles Making Progress In ACL Recoveries

December 8th, 2022 at 4:03pm CST by Rory Maher

Guard Ricky Rubio has been cleared to participate in 5-on-5 work, but the Cavaliers won’t rush his recovery from a torn left ACL, reports Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscriber link).

“He’s back,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said following Thursday’s practice. “He’s going to start doing more and more. More 5-on-5 and those types of things. He’s been given the green light to do that. Now it’s the progression that he has to go through to get ready to play in an NBA game. It’s something we won’t rush. But he’s heading in the right direction.”

Rubio suffered the injury last December, in the same knee that he’d previously torn an ACL several years ago. The Cavs wound up trading his expiring salary to Indiana in the Caris LeVert deal in February, but he signed a three-year contract with Cleveland as a free agent this past summer.

Bucks fans also received some good news on Thursday, as free agent addition Joe Ingles was assigned to the Wisconsin Herd, Milwaukee’s G League affiliate, to get some practice reps in (Twitter link via Eric Nehm of The Athletic). Ingles sustained his own torn left ACL in January and had reconstructive surgery in February.

The last update on Ingles’ status came before the season started, when GM Jon Horst said the forward could return in December or January.

The Cavs are currently 16-9, the No. 3 seed in the East, while the Bucks are 18-6, the No. 2 seed, so neither club should feel any sense of urgency to get their respective veterans back. Still, the former Jazz teammates will provide a nice boost of leadership and play-making when they do return to action.

Central Notes: Pistons, Bey, Turner, Nembhard, Allen

December 8th, 2022 at 9:13am CST by Luke Adams

The Pistons have started big men Isaiah Stewart and Marvin Bagley III alongside one another in the frontcourt in each of their last five games, with longtime starting forward Saddiq Bey moving to the bench as Bojan Bogdanovic holds onto his starting spot.

James L. Edwards III of The Athletic believes the two-big lineup will be one that the Pistons use for the foreseeable future, since it fits how they want to play — “bigger and more physically imposing,” as Edwards puts it. Detroit also envisions Stewart and rookie Jalen Duren as its long-term frontcourt of the future, Edwards adds, so it makes sense to get Stewart accustomed to playing next to another big man.

Bey had started 142 consecutive games for the Pistons before being demoted to the bench in the 15th game of the 2022/23 season. The third-year forward’s numbers have dipped this season – his 28.8% mark on three-pointers is by far a career worst – but he’s accepting his new role in stride, as Mike Curtis of The Detroit News (subscriber link) writes.

“It’s an opportunity to try and help the team win as much as possible,” Bey said. “Whatever role the team needs me to do, I’m ready to do. It’s me walking the walk. This is the role (head coach Dwane Casey) needs me to do to help us win and I’m just going to try and contribute as much as I can and just play hard.”

For what it’s worth, Casey said that he still looks at Bey “as a starter” even though he’s currently asking him to be the primary scoring option for that second unit.

Here’s more from around the Central:

It’s still unclear whether or not Myles Turner has a future in Indiana beyond this season, but the Pacers center seems to be enjoying himself and is more consistently engaged than he ever has been in the past, according to Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star (subscription required). “I’m having a great time,” Turner said. “My main focus is to come out and help this team win. I can sit and talk (about my future) in general all I want to, but that’s not what’s going to help this team win.”
In a separate article for The Indianapolis Star, Dopirak writes that Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard “desperately wanted” Andrew Nembhard in the 2022 draft despite his modest college numbers. Nembhard is making Pritchard look good so far, enjoying the best game of his young career on Monday when he racked up 31 points, 13 assists, and eight rebounds in a road win at Golden State. Head coach Rick Carlisle recently expressed a belief that the No. 31 pick will end up being a top-12 or top-15 player in this year’s draft class.
Spencer Davies of BasketballNews.com makes the case that center Jarrett Allen is the most crucial part of the Cavaliers‘ success, breaking down his impact on both ends of the court.