NBA Notes: Cavs, James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Nuggets, Hawks, frontcourt

Cavaliers

James Harden and Donovan Mitchell have already shown they can play together. Now they get a full season to find out how good they can be.

Harden arrived midway through last season and gave Mitchell something he had badly needed. Namely, another guard who can create a good shot when the offense stalls. Mitchell’s scoring ability, in turn, makes it harder for opponents to load up on Harden.

Zach Weiss of Cavs On SI writes that the pairing has a chance to be among the NBA’s best backcourts. He points to Harden’s playmaking and Mitchell’s postseason scoring as reasons the Cavs can take another step.

The question is what happens when teams make both guards work for every basket in the playoffs. The Cavs struggled to find enough offense against the Knicks in last season’s Eastern Conference finals.

A full training camp together should help. Peyton Watson gives them another capable wing, too. But when a playoff game gets tight, Cleveland will still need Harden and Mitchell to solve it.

You can check out Zach’s full piece at the link. Well worth the read. 

Nuggets

The Nuggets will have some explaining to do at media day, beginning with their decision to send Peyton Watson to the Cavs.

Denver received an unprotected 2031 first-round pick and a 2032 second-rounder in the sign-and-trade. Logan Struck of Nuggets On SI expects the front office to face questions about moving a 23-year-old wing coming off a breakout season.

Aaron Gordon’s health is another concern. Hamstring trouble limited him to 36 games last season, and he missed half of Denver’s six playoff games.

Then there is Nikola Jokic’s contract. He has passed on an extension and said his plan is to sign next summer and remain in Denver for the rest of his career. That is a reassuring statement from Jokic. The Nuggets still have to show him they can build another championship contender.

Hawks

The Hawks found a new direction after trading Trae Young. Jalen Johnson emerged, Atlanta surged after the All-Star break and the team made the playoffs.

The frontcourt remains a question. Henri Veesaar suffered a torn ACL after the draft, and Kahlil McCuller of Hawks On SI argues that Atlanta should have done more to address its center depth.

That is McCuller’s assessment, rather than evidence that the Hawks already regret their offseason. They may want to see what they have before making another move.

Still, the concern is understandable. The Knicks overwhelmed Atlanta in the final three games of their first-round series, and the East looks stronger now. The Hawks are counting on internal improvement. They may also need more size when the games start to matter.