Mitchell: Cavaliers can win title if healthy

Donovan Mitchell's belief in the Cleveland Cavaliers' roster is one of the reasons why he agreed to a three-year, $150.3-million max extension this summer.

"We're championship contenders when we're healthy," Mitchell told Andscape's Marc J. Spears. "I feel like last year we grew in a lot of ways. We played a lot of different ways. Now, during that stretch we went on, obviously, D.G. (Darius Garland) and Evan (Mobley) were hurt. But we found something that really can help bring us to the next level.

"So now the trick is how do we continue to implement that style of play over 82 (regular-season games) and then the final 16 (playoff) wins."

With Garland and Mobley sidelined, the Cavs went on a torrid 14-4 run to get their 2023-24 campaign back on track. Cleveland leaned on a heavy 3-point attack during that stretch, shooting nearly 42 triples per contest and making 37.4%. Only the Boston Celtics averaged more made threes during that period.

Those numbers went down once the two players returned in late January. Over the final 39 games of the regular season, the Cavs scored 7.8 fewer points per game and ranked 16th in offensive efficiency.

It's unclear if new head coach Kenny Atkinson plans to emphasize more 3-pointers this upcoming season. Regardless, Mitchell is putting the pressure on himself to bring a title to Cleveland.

"I wouldn't want any other way, to be honest," Mitchell said. "That's why I work the way I work, to allow myself to put that pressure on me. You give yourself grace in moments but understanding that you train the way you train, you eat the way you eat for that pressure so it doesn't feel like it's pressure.

"It's just part of what comes with that contract. That's kind of been my focal point. This is what is expected of you. This is what it is, and there's no shortcuts to it."