'Full circle': Donovan Mitchell, a lifelong LeBron fan, hopes to return Cavs to glory days

CLEVELAND — Not long after Donovan Mitchell was traded to the Cavaliers, he posted a photo on Twitter of him at age 5 or 6, wearing the NBA team’s jersey.

The three-time All-Star guard acquired from the Utah Jazz was struck by the circumstances of the stunning deal on Sept. 1.

“It’s crazy how life comes full circle,” he said Wednesday.

Born in Elmsford, New York, Mitchell became a Cavs fan because of LeBron James. But he wasn’t drawn in just because of the talents of the four-time league Most Valuable Player.

“I was a LeBron fan, but I was a Cleveland fan. My man’s over there saying Cleveland Cavaliers; I was saying that at the house,” Mitchell said during his introductory press conference at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. “Being able to be a part of that, between the fire and the intros, I remember the little things, I love playing in this arena.”

Mitchell attended the "The Decision," held on July 8, 2010, in Greenwich, Connecticut, where Mitchell grew up, as James announced on ESPN he was leaving Cleveland for the Miami Heat. Mitchell celebrated at the University of Louisville when James and the Cavs won the 2016 NBA championship, rallying from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors.

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“I remember seeing the reaction when he came back and winning that championship, that was a special moment,” Mitchell said. “He was screaming and I was in Louisville screaming and making fun of my friends who bet against him or whatever.

“For me, to be able to see that, to be able to be a part of this organization and a city that really truly loves their team I think is awesome.

“I didn’t realize how many Cleveland fans there are in America, in the world. Once I got traded, everywhere people were walking, ‘I’m from Cleveland’ or ‘I’m a Cleveland fan.’ I had no idea. The love and support you get from the fans is truly, truly incredible.”

Mitchell, who turned 26 on Sept. 7, thought he was headed to the New York Knicks, his rumored destination for months, especially after the Jazz traded four-time All-NBA pick Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves in early July.

“Once Rudy got traded I kind of saw the writing on the wall. I think we all did,” Mitchell said. “I think we understood we had a good run. I kind of had a feeling that I was going to get moved. I thought it was New York.

“Who doesn’t want to be home next to their mom? I haven’t lived at home since I was like in the eighth grade — I’ve been in boarding school — it would have been nice. But for me once I found out I got traded and what we’re going into, that trumped everything for me.”

Mitchell’s excitement wasn’t dampened by ending up with another small-market, cold-weather team.

“I love the cold, to be honest. I think I dress better in the cold,” Mitchell said, laughing. He chose a tan Burberry sweater, white shirt, black pants and a diamond necklace for his introduction.

Mitchell vowed to see “a bunch” of Browns and Guardians games. A New York Mets fan, he said he knows Guardians shortstop Amed Rosario, part of the Francisco Lindor trade, and has met right-hander Triston McKenzie.

“I saw him pitch once and I was like, ‘Man, this skinny kid can throw,’” Mitchell said.

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Mitchell said he’s heard from Browns cornerback Denzel Ward, a Nordonia High School and Ohio State product, and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who grew up in Athens, Ohio.

“Appreciate you, Joe,” Mitchell said. “Just knowing a few guys and that love shown is truly a blessing.”

Cavs President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman acknowledged that it wasn’t easy to give up guards Collin Sexton and Ochai Agbaji, their 2022 lottery pick, forward Lauri Markkanen, three unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps.

“Obviously, it comes with some pain to create probably one of the biggest trades in franchise history,” Altman said.

“If we weren’t able to get this transaction done, we were excited about what we had coming back. But when the opportunity presented itself, absolutely Donovan takes us to another level.”

Altman said he couldn’t pass on the chance to bring in a three-time All-Star who has three years remaining on his contract, plus a player option year. He pulled off the trade without giving up the Cavs’ three core players — All-Stars Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland and center/forward Evan Mobley, runner-up for rookie of the year last season.

Garland and fellow Cavs guard Caris LeVert sat in the front row with Mitchell's contingent, which included his mother, Nicole.

“We’re super young and the timeline fits to bring in this caliber of player with this group,” Altman said. “Let's rock out. I'm excited to see what it looks like.

"But there's a runway here and I don't want anyone to think that this year we have to be contention or bust. That's not what this is. This is a real runway here for these guys to grow together, learn how to play together, and get better each year and grow to hopefully some really exciting basketball.”

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Mitchell said he was able to attend a pre-training camp gathering of Cavs players in Nashville. Five-time All-Star forward Kevin Love said in April he was taking the lead on the planning, that he had never been to the Music City and his sister lives in nearby Franklin, Tennessee.

Mitchell said he saw the close bond the Cavs developed last season, when Allen's fractured finger compromised their playoff chances and they were eliminated with losses to the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks in the play-in tournament.

"I see it in pickup. We were in Nashville a week or so ago and just see the camaraderie that’s already been built here. I’m just blessed to be able to come in here and join that," Mitchell said. "Guys are joking around, laughing, having a good time, but when it comes to work it’s time to work.

"Being able to come into that situation, I’m a guy who is all about work when it’s time, but also having a good time, whether it’s playing cards, playing Xbox. You see it on the TV screen. I watched the play-in game and watched them during the season, play against these guys and see what they’re building and trying to build. I keep saying ‘they.’ What we’re trying to build. To be a part of that and be seen as an addition is something I’m excited about.”

The Cavs organized a group to greet Mitchell when he flew into Burke Lakefront Airport Wednesday morning. He said was expecting 15 to 20 people and the gathering he saw blew him away.

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“It’s still blowing me away, looking at the sea of people here. It makes you feel appreciated," Mitchell said. "The biggest thing is you want to give your heart and soul for people that show up for you, especially getting here at 9 o’clock this morning, which means them getting up by 7:30 or 8. Things like that really go a long way. I truly appreciate that because night in and night out we’re going to be up working and continuing to fight for this city and bring this city another championship.”

Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Donovan Mitchell blown away by Cleveland Cavaliers reception