CLEVELAND — After making one of the biggest trades in franchise history, the Cleveland Cavaliers officially welcomed Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland.
On Wednesday, the Cavs held a press conference at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to introduce their new three-time All-Star, who they acquired in a blockbuster deal with the Utah Jazz earlier this month. You can re-watch the press conference in the YouTube player at the bottom of this story.
Ahead of his introductory press conference, Mitchell landed at Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport, where he was greeted by a throng of Cavs fans celebrating his arrival. One fan, Abby Mueller, took a selfie with the Louisville product, who can be seen wearing a Cleveland Browns hat along with his Cavs sweatshirt in the picture.
Mitchell's arrival in Cleveland comes just days after he posted pictures of himself in Cavs gear while working out with his new teammates at Vanderbilt.
In order to acquire the 26-year-old shooting guard, the Cavs sent the Jazz a package including three unprotected first-round picks, two pick swaps, guard Collin Sexton -- who agreed to a four-year, $72 million extension as a part of a sign-and-trade to facilitate the deal -- forward Lauri Markkanen and rookie swingman Ochai Agbaji. Considered one of the NBA's best young players, Mitchell has averaged 23.9 points on .441 percent shooting (.361 from 3-point range), 4.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds while leading Utah to the playoffs in each of his first five seasons in the league.
In acquiring Mitchell, Cleveland adds the 2017 first-round pick to a core that already includes All-Star point guard Darius Garland, All-Star center Jarrett Allen and 2022 unanimous NBA All-Rookie first-team selection Evan Mobley. The Cavs' addition of Mitchell has been met with plenty of praise, with NBA analysts now considering Cleveland to be one of the league's most promising young teams.
“The acquisition of Donovan Mitchell presented us with an incredible opportunity to bring one of the NBA’s most dynamic young All-Stars to Cleveland,” Cavs President of Basketball Operation Koby Altman said in a statement. “Already a special and proven talent at just 25-years-old, Donovan brings a competitive mentality that organically fits with the core group of this team. We are excited to see the impact that someone of Donovan’s caliber can bring to the Cavaliers with his ability to score the basketball, but also make plays for his teammates. We welcome Donovan and his entire family to Northeast Ohio."