Is 2025-26 the season Donovan Mitchell finally gets over the hump?

Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Donovan Mitchell has come in second place in a new ranking. 

Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report ranked Mitchell second in his article called "Ranking Ringless NBA Stars Most Likely to Win a Title First."

Cleveland is the favorite to win the Eastern Conference in 2025-26 since Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton has already been ruled out and Boston Celtics small forward Jayson Tatum may not play either. 

Mitchell has never advanced past the second round of the playoffs in his career. 2026 should be the year that changes. 

A Louisville product, Mitchell has been with the Cavaliers since 2022. He's averaging 26.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.4 blocks in a Cleveland uniform. 

Mitchell enters the 2025-26 season with career averages of 24.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Utah Jazz and Cavaliers. He has made six All-Star teams and two All-NBA teams and he's seventh in NBA history in points per game in the playoffs (28.3).

"Entering his age-29 season, Mitchell doesn't have as much time to get over the hump as many of the other players on this list," Hughes wrote. "Decline isn't far off. For now, though, Mitchell boasts a postseason track record none of his peers can match and one of the least obstructed paths to the Finals."

The Cavaliers were the No. 1 seed in the East last season. They swept the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2025 playoffs but lost to the Pacers in the second round in five games.

Mitchell took the loss very hard and has been working extra hard this offseason on his overall game. 

Cleveland has talented players around Mitchell, headlined by All-Stars Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland. However, the Cavaliers will only go as far as Mitchell can take them in 2025-26.