Donovan Mitchell is excited to face Cade Cunningham in the second round of the 2026 playoffs.
Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers face Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 playoffs. It's a matchup between two of the best players in the NBA, Mitchell and Cunningham.
During his latest diary entry for Andscape, Mitchell spoke about why he's looking forward to playing against Cunningham.
The Cavaliers beat the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the playoffs in seven games, while the Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic in seven games. Detroit erased a 3-1 series deficit against Orlando.
Mitchell, as most people know, has never gotten past the second round of the playoffs in his career with the Utah Jazz and Cavaliers. Many people who cover the NBA believe Cleveland's front office could tear the roster down this summer if the Wine and Gold lose to the Pistons.
There is a lot on the line for Mitchell and the Cavaliers against the Pistons. According to The Athletic's Fred Katz, the Cavaliers are prepared to explore trade scenarios for Mitchell this offseason should the talented scorer and playmaker decline a contract extension. Under his current contract, Mitchell can hit free agency in 2027.
If Cleveland loses to Detroit, Mitchell may not sign an extension this offseason and then he could get traded. And if Mitchell does get traded, you can bet that James Harden won't re-sign with the Cavaliers. Harden is expected to decline his player option for next season and enter unrestricted free agency this summer.
It will be fascinating to see how far the Cavaliers go in the 2026 playoffs and if Mitchell signs an extension with the Wine and Gold this offseason. Mitchell averaged 27.9 points per game this regular season. He was seventh in the NBA in points per game and sixth in total points (1,952).
Against the Raptors, Mitchell put up 23.1 points per game. He shot 43.8% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 87.5% from the foul line.
Game 5 of the conference semifinals is the furthest Mitchell has taken the Cavaliers since being traded to Cleveland by the Jazz in 2022. That has to change this year.
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