Donovan Mitchell’s timeline may not line up with the young Cavs
Piggybacking and hammering home the last point, the fact that the Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t currently prepared to compete with the other Eastern Conference giants only tells me that Mitchell’s timeline and the Cavs’ don’t exactly match up with each other. Mitchell is a player that is ready to win now. He’s in his prime and should be surrounded by a supporting cast that is also in its prime. That can’t be said about the young Cavs.
Mitchell is 27 years old. Darius Garland is 23 and Evan Mobley is 22. They are not in the same place in terms of their respective developments. By the time Garland and Mobley reach their peak, Mitchell is probably going to be in his 30s. That’s not ideal for a player who is looking to win on the big stage now.
I don’t think anyone can question that the Cavs have a bright future, but this is where the move for Mitchell also brought about questions. Maybe Garland and Mobley take a huge progressional step this season and they enter the prime of their careers. With how talented they are, it could happen. Though, that’s extremely unlikely.
There’s no need to rush Garland and Mobley’s development and Mitchell will begin to realize that. Mitchell is ready to win now and Cleveland might not be.