Cavaliers Star Donovan Mitchell Receives Stellar 2026-27 NBA Season Prediction

Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report believes Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell will be the 10th-leading scorer in the NBA next season. 

Hughes has Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic leading the NBA in scoring again next season. 

"Peyton Watson's potential as an on-ball weapon is purely additive for the title-chasing Cleveland Cavaliers," Hughes wrote. "It's not going to chip away at Donovan Mitchell's first-option reps. Last year's 27.9 points per game might still be out of reach if Watson eats up some possessions, or if Evan Mobley takes another step as a creator. But Mitchell has topped 24.0 points per game every year since 2019-20 and feels highly likely to do so again.

"Remember, if guys like Watson and Mobley (and James Harden) are dangerous enough to command more defensive attention, Mitchell could benefit. He shot 40.7 percent on catch-and-shoot threes during the regular season but attempted just 231 such shots, ranking outside the league's top 75. If defenses have to account for other threats, that number could rise along with Mitchell's scoring efficiency. If he loses anything in volume, that should make up for it."

The Cavaliers acquired Mitchell from the Utah Jazz in 2022. Mitchell is averaging 26.7 points per game in the regular season and 27.3 points per game in the playoffs in a Cleveland uniform.   

A seven-time All-Star, Mitchell led the Cavaliers to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. It was the first time Cleveland made the conference finals since 1992 without LeBron James. 

The New York Knicks swept Mitchell and the Cavaliers in the conference finals, but Cleveland's front office remained loyal to Mitchell by giving him the huge extension. 

Mitchell signed a four-year, $273 million maximum contract extension this offseason. 

“Donovan has embodied exactly what it means to represent the Cleveland Cavaliers on and off the floor,” president of basketball operations Koby Altman said, via Cavaliers.com. “From day one, he embraced this organization, our fans, and our community. Through SPIDACARES and his work with the team, he’s made a lasting impact on this city that reaches far beyond basketball. He’s been clear in his desire to be here, and that speaks volumes about who he is. His leadership, competitive fire and professionalism have helped define our culture and the standard for wearing a Cavaliers uniform. Securing Donovan long term reflects our shared vision and our commitment to building toward another NBA championship in Cleveland.”  

Mitchell enters next season with career averages of 25.1 points per game in the regular season and 27.8 points per game in the playoffs with the Jazz and Cavaliers. 

Cleveland will start James Harden, Mitchell, Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen next season. 

The Cavaliers begin next season against LeBron and the 76ers in Philadelphia.

That will be an electric atmosphere.