Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell Calls Out 'BS' James Harden Narratives

Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell fired back at the narratives surrounding teammate James Harden's lack of a championship heading into the 2026-27 season.

Harden is still searching for his first NBA championship. He went to the NBA Finals in 2012 with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who lost to LeBron James and the Miami Heat in five games.

"I just truly believe the only reason why he's not talked about in that room is because of the championship conversation," Mitchell told reporters. "I've always known it being around him, but when you're his teammate, I think it brings it to a whole different level. I said that last playoffs. Seeing him in camp, seeing his influence on the group, seeing his conversations, seeing his passion behind winning, passion behind intention and trying to be the best of what he does, really puts in perspective how BS a lot of the narratives are and how you really don't truly understand something until you see it on a daily basis."

The Cavaliers acquired Harden from the LA Clippers last season. Harden averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists per game for Cleveland in the regular season and 19.2 points and 5.5 assists per game in the playoffs.

Cleveland defeated the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons to reach the Eastern Conference Finals last season for the first time since 1992 without LeBron on the roster.

The New York Knicks, who won the 2026 championship against the San Antonio Spurs, swept the Cavaliers in the conference finals.

Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson will start Harden, Mitchell, Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen this season. On paper, that's a talented starting five. 

Cleveland acquired Watson from the Denver Nuggets in a sign-and-trade deal. Harden recruited Watson to the Cavaliers. 

One of the best players in NBA history, Harden has played for the Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Clippers and Cavaliers. He holds career averages of 24.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game in the regular season and 22.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game in the playoffs.

A top-75 player of all time, Harden has made 11 All-Star teams and eight All-NBA teams. He won the 2011-12 Sixth Man of the Year award with the Thunder and the 2017-18 MVP award with the Rockets.

The Cavaliers begin this season on the road against LeBron and the 76ers. That will be an electric atmosphere.  

It will be fascinating to see if Harden wins an NBA title before retiring.

Mitchell and Harden both need a championship to quiet their critics.