Koby Altman addressed the situation during a recent Q&A with reporters, responding directly to questions about a potential extension. “Understand the question. All I can tell you is Donovan has been steadfast in how much he loves it here. There hasn’t been any question of will he be here or does he want to be here.”

Altman continued, reinforcing the organization’s confidence in the star guard’s mindset. “I think the bigger question, is the one that’s been answered, is does he want to be here and does he want to be here long term, and I think he’s answered that.” The tone reflected stability around one of Cleveland’s most important roster decisions.

Mitchell and Cleveland’s long-term window

Mitchell has once again been the centerpiece of Cleveland’s offense this NBA season, delivering consistent scoring and leadership throughout the regular season while keeping the Cavaliers firmly in the Eastern Conference mix. His ability to create late-game offense has remained one of the team’s most reliable strengths.

From a roster-building standpoint, keeping Mitchell would solidify the Cavaliers’ identity around a proven playoff-level scorer who already fits within the system. The front office views him as a player who can anchor both the present and future, especially alongside the team’s existing core pieces.

On May 25, Mitchell was already clear about where he stands regarding his future, saying, “I love it here. I don’t know how else to say it, but I love it here. We have unfinished business. This city deserves a ring and we’re just gonna keep going.” James Harden also added that he wants to be back in Cleveland, further fueling speculation around the team’s evolving long-term plans.

It’s been hard for Mitchell to move past the feeling of disappointment. Even with all the talent in the world, the Cavaliers couldn’t pull through. The worst part is, they couldn’t even win a single game when it mattered the most, and it’s something that will stick with the seven-time NBA All-Star throughout the summer.

“It was very painful, the ending. To go out like that. You try to put on a smile and try to move past it,” said Mitchell, via Andscape. “They beat us, swept us, so I don’t want to diminish that, but we didn’t give ourselves a chance, ’cause we didn’t have any business. But it’ll take a little while, it’ll take a little bit. I think the worst part about it is just like the sweeps, like, we had an opportunity, right? And we were just right there.”

Will he win a ring with the Cavs?

Despite the trade rumors surrounding Donovan Mitchell, he insists that his loyalty lies with the Cavs. With only two years and $103 million remaining on his contract, including a $53.8 million player option, he is an attractive target for a potential trade, but neither Mitchell nor the Cavs are ready for a separation.

“I feel like this has been a consistent theme every single season I’ve been here,” Mitchell said. “I love it here, I see growth, I see a runway, I believe, I’ve made Cleveland home. Outside of just basketball, I don’t wanna go… We may win a ring here. We may never win a ring here. But I’ve won in life.”

Over eight seasons, he’s only been out of the second round once, and he has yet to actually win a game in the Conference Finals despite career averages of 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game on 45.3% shooting and 36.6% shooting from three. At this point, there’s a real possibility that Mitchell may never lead the Cavs to a title.

Now, the Cavs will try to secure upgrades this offseason to fight and be contenders once again, currently with reports of a potential arrival of Giannis Antetokounmpo in exchange for Evan Mobley, but it seems they are not in favor of that trade.

According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, the Cavaliers have “no appetite” to trade Mobley for Antetokounmpo. “I believe Cleveland does not have any real appetite or interest in that type of deal because Evan Mobley is really their only bridge to a future beyond Donovan Mitchell, who’s coming up on 30 years old. He’s already a major contributor to this group. A Defensive Player of the Year. A perennial All-Star candidate. I just don’t really see that happening.”

Fischer believes that the Cavs will hedge on the side of caution and youth with this situation. Evan Mobley is still a young star who has room to grow, and he also doesn’t have the same kind of injury concerns that Giannis Antetokounmpo has, as well. Additionally, according to reports, the preferred destinations for Giannis are Boston and Miami.

Koby Altman clears up the rumors

While speaking with reporters at his end-of-season news conference on Friday, Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman seemed to say plenty about the Evan Mobley for Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors. “I’m not going to speculate on any players outside these walls,” Altman explained, per Joe Vardon of The Athletic.

“All I can tell you is, since Evan’s been here, we’ve had the third-best record in the league for five years. Now, we don’t have a championship to show for that yet, right? Boston and Denver, the other two ahead of us, they have a championship to show for that, but all Evan has done is impact winning. He’s been remarkable for us in terms of our ascent the last five years. He’s a huge part of what we do.”

Almost immediately after the Knicks swept the Cavaliers, it was reported that February acquisition James Harden is expected to opt out of his current contract and receive a new multi-year deal from Cleveland. Additionally, Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell will become extension-eligible during the NBA offseason.

The moves of the Cavs will be interesting to follow as they remain a contender, and they will try to address what they are missing, especially while those rumors of a LeBron James homecoming remain in the air.

When asked to self-assess his recent NBA playoff run during the post-game media session, Harden offered a positive review of his two-way contributions. “I think I did pretty good … defensively, been extremely solid, and offensively, getting guys shots and fitting into a system that was already in place,” the former MVP stated.

However, the stat sheet told a slightly different story, particularly in the Game 4 closeout where Harden finished with just 12 points and two assists in 33 minutes. Across the four-game series against New York, he struggled with his efficiency, culminating in a 2-for-8 shooting night and going 0-for-6 from beyond the arc in the final game.

Harden believes the Cavaliers are a good team

Harden offered a controversial take after the Cavaliers were eliminated from the Eastern Conference Finals, questioning if the Knicks were truly the better team. Despite the sweep, he argued that the final result didn’t reflect the true talent gap between the two rosters.

When asked if New York had proven their superiority, Harden struggled to give the Knicks full credit for their dominant performance. “It was 4-0, but I don’t think we had a chance as far as our best shot. They dominated us 4-0. but I don’t know if I can necessarily answer that question. Because genuinely I do feel like we’re the better team,“ he claimed.

Looking ahead to 2027, the question remains if Harden can lead Cleveland back to a deep playoff run after averaging 19.2 points in the 2026 postseason. While his efficiency dipped during the sweep, his veteran presence remains a key factor for a young core.

When asked if he would recruit James, Mitchell shut down the reporter. “We just ended the game. That’s not for me. I’m not tryna get a headline. No matter what I say, it’s going to be a thing. Sorry, I’m not gonna give you anything,” he said.

Mitchell also reflected on the loss to the Knicks, admitting the team failed to give themselves a real chance. He noted that the Cavs simply didn’t handle their business effectively during the earlier rounds, “We didn’t give ourselves a chance because we didn’t handle business.”

Mitchell makes feelings about Cavaliers future clear

Mitchell has made his intentions clear regarding his future with the Cavaliers, prioritizing a long-term extension over a potential exit. Despite the recent postseason heartbreak, the star guard remains deeply committed to the franchise and the city of Cleveland.

The guard’s devotion to the team was evident during his end-of-season press conference when he addressed the swirling rumors about his upcoming contract. “I love it here. I don’t know how else to say it, but I love it here. We have unfinished business. This city deserves a ring and we’re just gonna keep going,” Mitchell declared.

Mitchell’s commitment is backed by elite production, as he averaged 27.9 points and 5.7 assists per game throughout the 2026 season while maintaining high efficiency. Since joining the Cavaliers, he has rewritten the franchise record books with multiple 40-point performances and consistent All-NBA caliber play in the backcourt.

Jalen Brunson made the All-NBA Second Team, something he’s done in the last three seasons now. He will share that recognition with Cavs rival Donovan Mitchell, Jaylen Brown, Kawhi Leonard, and Kevin Durant. Elite company for an elite player.

Brunson finished as the last player selected with 49 second-team votes and 50 third-team votes. One voter left him off the ballot entirely. However, that might cause him to have a chip on his shoulder, with the Cavs suffering the consequences in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Brunson has been amazing in the NBA Playoffs

The Knicks have won 10 playoff games in a row. Not only that, Brunson has been at the center of the team’s success. For instance, in the three games of the ‘Knickerbombers‘ against the Cavaliers, Brunson is averaging 29 points and 8.7 assists per game.

The Knicks need Brunson, and Brunson needs the Knicks, that’s why everything has worked so well since he arrived from the Mavs. Now, he is focusing on get the Knicks their first NBA Championship since 1973. That would clearly put him as a team legend and might mean his No.11 jersey gets put in the rafters once he retires.

Who made the All-NBA First-Team over Brunson?

All five players that are in the All-NBA First-Team over Brunson received MVP votes. Hence, it’s understandable that they made the team over the Knicks’ PG. Those players are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC), Cade Cunningham (DET), Luka Doncic (LAL), Victor Wembanyama (SAS), and Nikola Jokic (DEN).

It’s worth noting four of the five players play in the Western Conference. Hence, the only player “over” Brunson in the Eastern Conference was Cade Cunningham. The Pistons player had a massive regular season, though he fell to the Cavs in the EC Semifinals in seven games.

During a recent segment on ESPN’s Inside the NBA, Green delivered a blunt assessment of the Cavaliers‘ current playoff deficit. “Nobody from Cleveland is stepping up. There’s no leadership. Who’s walking in that locker room saying what you have to do and what we need to do?” Draymond asked.

The leadership void is especially glaring despite efforts from veteran stars like James Harden to keep the faith alive after Cleveland fell behind the Knicks 0-3 in the series. Harden leadership hasn’t translated into on-court results, prompting Charles Barkley to suggest that a legendary figure might be the only one capable of righting the ship.

Who is the player Barkley wants in Cleveland?

Barkley didn’t hesitate to reveal who could solve the Cavaliers’ identity crisis. “Well I got an answer for that question. That’d be LeBron James,” Barkley declared, suggesting that the franchise requires the unique gravity and postseason experience that only James could provide.

The idea of bringing back an older player to stabilize a young core could become a hot topic, especially as Stephen A. Smith calls for LeBron James‘ return after Cleveland’s playoff disaster. While some critics argue that the Cavaliers should focus on their future, Smith and Barkley seem to agree that the current roster’s lack of accountability can only be fixed by a veteran.

Without a significant change in leadership or a miraculous shift in Game 4, the Cavaliers face the grim reality of an early exit and a summer full of difficult questions. If Cleveland cannot find an internal voice to rally the squad, their chances of returning to championship contention will remain slim.

“This is a disgraceful late-game show of effort by the Cavaliers,” Smith posted, emphasizing that the franchise desperately needs a new leader. He didn’t hold back on his proposed solution, shockingly declaring, “I’m saying it…….they need LeBron James to return home to save the day“ if they ever want to bring another title to Cleveland.

Smith argued that while he is a Knicks fan, the truth about Cleveland’s lack of “fire” is undeniable and requires a monumental shift in team culture. He believes that the current group lacks the championship DNA that only a player of LeBron‘s caliber can provide.

Will LeBron return to Cleveland while Bayless slams Harden?

The prospect of a third James stint in Cleveland brings back memories of his peak years, specifically the historic 2016 comeback and multiple NBA Finals appearances. While James is currently under contract in Los Angeles, the rumors of a “homecoming” often resurface when the Cavaliers’ young core fails to execute.

Skip Bayless added fuel to the fire by criticizing the leadership of James Harden, noting that in a critical home game, the guard displayed “loser intangibles” with five costly turnovers. Bayless pointed out that Harden went 1-of-7 from beyond the arc, claiming the star played with “no follow-me fire, no apparent urgency or energy” when the season was on the line.

The odds of a LeBron return remain speculative, but the lack of veteran poise has clearly left a void that the media believes only “The King” can fill. With the Cavaliers now facing an uphill battle and analysts like Bayless and Smith questioning their heart, the front office may be forced to consider drastic roster changes.

“We’re still confident. Our confidence is never going away. We’re more than capable. Make some shots and the series turns around,” Harden told reporters during his post-game availability. Despite finishing the night 8-of-15 from the field with 19 points, his 1-of-7 performance from three-point range highlighted the shooting woes that have plagued Cleveland throughout the series.

Harden admitted the Cavaliers could never quite get a grip on the game, noting that the Knicks played faster and capitalized on open opportunities that Cleveland missed. “A lot of open shots we got opportunities to make and we’re just not making them,” he explained.

Can anyone actually escape a 0-3 hole?

The challenge facing Cleveland is historically insurmountable, as the NBA has yet to see a single team successfully overturn a 3-0 series deficit. With a collective record of 0-161 for teams in this position, the Cavaliers are staring down a statistical wall that implies the Knicks have all but punched their ticket to the championship round.

Harden, however, remains focused on the “one game at a time” mantra and believes the team can control their destiny starting with Game 4 on Monday. “No excuses. We have a game plan. We gotta execute our game plan a little bit better,” he remarked, shifting the blame for the shooting slump onto the players rather than the coaching staff or fatigue.

The former MVP believes that if Cleveland can finally start hitting shots, something he feels they haven’t done consistently since Game 1, it will allow their defense to set up in the half-court. While history is firmly against them, Harden concluded his talk by reiterating that the group is “more than capable” of being the first to break the league’s most durable playoff curse.

“We just didn’t make shots. I love the looks that we got. Offensively, I’m not worried at all,” Mitchell stated during the post-game media session. He emphasized that there is no reason to panic despite the deficit, especially since Richard Jefferson already sent a warning to the Cavaliers about the defensive grit they would face in this specific series.

The Cavaliers‘ leader noted that the Knicks simply did their job by defending their home floor, and now the pressure shifts back to Cleveland to respond. “Nothing to hang our head about. They protected home court. We’ve seen this before so we gotta get Game 3. We’re not tired, we’re ready to go,” Mitchell added with a defiant tone.

Is it possible to win a conference series from 0-2?

History shows that overcoming a 2-0 deficit in the NBA Conference Finals is rare but not impossible, with only six teams ever achieving the feat. The 2007 Cavaliers famously did it against the Pistons, joining elite company like the 1993 Bulls, 1994 Rockets, 2012 Thunder, 2019 Raptors, and the 1971 Bullets who all roared back to win.

For Mitchell and the current Cleveland roster to join that exclusive list, they must find a way to protect their own home court starting with a high-stakes Game 3. The priority will be improving their perimeter shooting and finding creative ways to exploit the Knicks’ defensive rotations, which were nearly flawless during the opening two games in New York.

Tying the series at 2-2 will require Mitchell to take on a heavier scoring load while the supporting cast steps up in the rebounding department. If the Cavaliers can maintain the “ready to go” energy Mitchell promised, they have a legitimate chance to shift the momentum and turn this into a deep, seven-game classic.

He is trending toward playing and is officially listed as probable for the opener at Madison Square Garden. His potential return is a massive boost for a Knicks team chasing its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.

Before suffering the injury during the second-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers, the veteran forward had been one of New York’s best playoff performers, averaging 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks.

How and when did OG Anunoby get injured?

The injury occurred in early May when Anunoby appeared to grab at his leg during a defensive possession late in the game. He tried to briefly remain on the floor before eventually exiting and later undergoing medical evaluation.

Multiple reports confirmed the injury as a mild hamstring strain that forced him to miss the final games of the series. The Knicks were extremely cautious with him because of his previous hamstring history.

During the 2024 postseason, he also dealt with hamstring issues that limited him against the Indiana Pacers, so New York’s medical staff prioritized recovery ahead of the Eastern Conference Finals.

According to multiple reports ahead of Game 1 against Cleveland, he returned to full practice participation during New York’s extended break between playoff rounds. Now, the Knicks officially listed him as probable.

How has OG Anunoby been performing?

OG Anunoby has been one of the Knicks’ best two-way players during the 2026 NBA Playoffs. He was averaging 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game during New York’s postseason run.

He also shot efficiently from the field and from three-point range while regularly defending the opposing team’s top scorer. His defensive versatility has become critical for the Knicks throughout the playoffs.

His offensive growth has also stood out during this postseason run. He scored at least 20 points in several playoff games before the injury and emerged as a reliable secondary scorer behind Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

OG Anunoby’s achievements with the NY Knicks

OG Anunoby has helped turn the Knicks into a legitimate Eastern Conference contender since arriving in New York. After being acquired from the Raptors during the 2024 season, he transformed the Knicks’ defense and overall identity.

One of his biggest accomplishments with the franchise has been helping lead the Knicks to the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals — the organization’s deepest playoff run in decades. They entered the series against Cleveland riding a seven-game playoff winning streak after sweeping the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round.

He has also become one of the Knicks’ most trusted players because of his ability to impact games without needing high shot volume. He regularly guards elite scorers, plays heavy minutes and contributes in transition, on the boards and as a perimeter shooter.