Do you agree with this ranking?

ESPN polled 20 coaches, scouts and executives about who they think the best American player in the NBA is right now. 

Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Donovan Mitchell received one vote. Here are the results: 

Stephen Curry: 11

Anthony Edwards: 8

Donovan Mitchell: 1

Mitchell, 29, 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).

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 scored 57 points in a playoff game against the Denver Nuggets in 2020 and 71 points against the Chicago Bulls in a regular-season game in 2023. He's undoubtedly one of the best scorers in NBA history.

Cleveland is the favorite to win the East in 2026 since Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton has already been ruled out for the 2025-26 season 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.  

In 71 games for the Cavaliers last season, Mitchell averaged 24.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.2 blocks while shooting 44.3% from the field, 36.8% from beyond the arc and 82.3% from the free-throw line. 

Cleveland was the No. 1 seed in the East last season. Mitchell and Co. beat the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs in four games but lost to the Pacers in the second round in five games. 

The Cavaliers are widely expected to start Lonzo Ball, Mitchell, De'Andre Hunter, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen to begin the 2025-26 season. Darius Garland will replace Ball in the starting five once he recovers from his foot surgery.