NBA Notes: Cavs, Donovan Mitchell, Pacers, Bulls, Front Office

CAVALIERS

Donovan Mitchell‘s numbers are down this season, but the Cavaliers are thriving in ways that go beyond individual statistics.

As Brian Windhorst of ESPN details, Mitchell’s points per game (23.7), assists (4.6), and usage rate (30.1%) have all dropped from last year. Despite this, the Cavs have been dominant, winning 29 of their first 33 games.

The reason behind Mitchell’s decreased production lies in his willingness to take a step back and let his teammates shine.

His three-point percentage is a career-high 41.5%, and Cleveland has surged to the NBA’s No. 1 offense with a 121.3 offensive rating.

As one advance scout noted, “He was an All-NBA (caliber) player last year because of how much he did for them and having to play a lot at point guard. This year, he’s probably going to make All-NBA because he’s pulling back and encouraging his teammates to have bigger roles.”

Mitchell’s drop in production also comes with a reduced workload. He’s playing a career-low 31.5 minutes per game, a strategic move designed by new head coach Kenny Atkinson.

Atkinson, a former Warriors assistant, emphasized keeping Mitchell fresher and alleviating stress on his knee, which bothered him last season. This plan has paid off so far, as Mitchell has missed just one game, while Cavaliers teammates like Darius Garland and Evan Mobley are enjoying career years.

As Atkinson put it, “Donovan is so selfless and he empowers people. (Stephen Curry) is like this, too. They’re so positive, they know how to uplift others around them. That’s the ultimate leader, right?”

PACERS

The Pacers, after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season, are hovering around .500 this year. While they’ve maintained a competitive level of play, Fred Katz of The Athletic suggests they could be better served by consolidating their roster.

The Pacers are set to become a taxpayer next season if they retain starting center Myles Turner, which could force a tough decision on their future direction.

Katz argues that a consolidation trade may be the best move for the Pacers to improve their roster. Moving out a couple of higher-paid bench players could help them clear space to add more impactful pieces and keep the team competitive without overcommitting financially.

Indiana’s front office will likely need to balance short-term needs with long-term strategy, making these next few months fairly crucial for the franchise.

BULLS

The Bulls’ recent stretch of disappointing performances has raised serious concerns about the team’s future. After needing overtime to defeat the struggling Hornets, the Bulls then fell to the even worse Wizards.

Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times takes aim at the Bulls’ front office, arguing that roster changes are urgently needed to ensure they can retain their top-10 protected pick in the 2025 draft and secure a foundational player for the future.

Basically, Chicago’s struggles have highlighted the need for major adjustments. Cowley suggests that the front office should make moves sooner rather than later, including considering trades to shake up the roster.

Cowley is right. With the Bulls not performing up to expectations, it’s becoming clear that changes are necessary to rebuild and set the franchise on the right path going forward.