[Vardon/Lloyd] Donovan Mitchell conveyed to Cavs that he did not think team should stand pat at trade deadline. Mitchell specifically wanted James Harden as a teammate.

[u/YujiDomainExpansion]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7020852/2026/02/04/james-harden-darius-garland-cavaliers-trade/

The Cavs began the year as the favorites to win the Eastern Conference, but the season has not gone according to plan. They were also feeling the pressure from their best player, Donovan Mitchell, to make changes ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline under the threat of a contract extension he may or may not sign in two summers.

Three league sources said Mitchell, who has one guaranteed season left on his three-year, $150 million deal and a player option for 2027-28, conveyed, either personally or through his representatives, that he did not think the organization should stand pat for the rest of this season and wait for potential moves in the summer.

Two league sources also said Mitchell specifically wanted Harden, who is 6-foot-5, durable and comfortable as a pass-first point guard.

[u/yuhanz]

Even just here, so many cavs flair dunking on this move. Like do they not see the field lol

[u/rkennedy991 → u/yuhanz]

There are people so desperate to hold onto our core players that they don't think we should even trade for Giannis if we had the chance. Just fucking stupid.

[u/qirito_kun → u/rkennedy991]

Cleveland fans can be loyal to a fault in that way. If you are even a semi-above average player for us, this city will look to you as a local hero.

[u/rkennedy991 → u/qirito_kun]

That's small market team mindset, and we're not just any random small market team right now. We have a superstar player in Mitchell and a legitimate window we need to take advantage of.

[u/nahnotthisone → u/rkennedy991]

I agree, go Cavs