Donovan Mitchell Believes Cavaliers Should Retire Kyrie Irving’s Jersey

Donovan Mitchell told NBA reporter Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com that the Cleveland Cavaliers should retire Kyrie Irving‘s No. 2 jersey one day. 

Irving played six seasons with the Cavaliers and helped the franchise win its first title in 2016 over the Golden State Warriors. 

#Cavs legend Kyrie Irving getting his jersey retired in Cleveland someday? Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who grew up a Cavs fan, says it's a no-brainer

"Only championship in team history & he was a huge part of that. That should never go overlooked”https://t.co/TRBfT0uX1l

— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) February 27, 2024

The Cavaliers drafted Irving with the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft out of Duke. Irving averaged 21.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.3 blocks with Cleveland in the regular season. 

Uncle Drew made four All-Star teams and one All-NBA team with the Cavaliers. He also won the 2011-12 Rookie of the Year Award. 

LeBron James returned to the Cavaliers in the summer of 2014 after four years with the Miami Heat to play with Irving and Kevin Love. Cleveland went to four consecutive Finals in LeBron’s second stint with his hometown team, with Irving playing in three of them before requesting a trade in the summer of 2017. 

An eight-time All-Star, Irving hit the game-winning 3-pointer over Warriors legend Stephen Curry in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals. The 2015-16 Cavaliers are the only team in NBA history to erase a 3-1 series deficit in the Finals. 

Irving averaged 23.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.6 blocks in 52 postseason games with the Cavaliers. 

Collin Sexton and Ty Jerome have worn No. 2 with the Cavaliers since Irving was traded. Mitchell thinks owner Dan Gilbert should retire No. 2 one day in honor of Irving, who has played for the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks since his Cavaliers days came to an end. 

Irving is eighth in Cavaliers history in field goals, fourth in 3-point field goals, ninth in free throws, sixth in assists, ninth in steals, eighth in points, fourth in points per game, 10th in assists per game and third in player efficiency rating.