“I didn’t know it would be my last game seeing him,” Donovan Mitchell opens up on Kevin Love’s buyout

Donovan Mitchell reacts to NBA veteran Kevin Love leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat


“I didn’t know it would be my last game seeing him,” Donovan Mitchell opens up on Kevin Love’s buyout

Donovan Mitchell

Kevin Love has left the Cleveland Cavaliers and will be in South Beach for the rest of the season. Cavs all-star Donovan Mitchell reacted to the buyout of Kevin Love by saying, “I was shocked… I didn’t know that it would be my last game seeing him… I’m thankful because he is a guy that allowed me to come in and ask him a thousand questions.” Love has started only 3 games this season averaging around 20 minutes per game in a limited role which adds perspective to his decision to a buyout. Mitchell praised Kevin Love as a mentor for his coming to Cleveland after a turbulent time in Utah. “I think his role in the past 10 or 11 games wasn’t what he wanted and as players, we understand that. If that was his decision, then that’s fine. No love lost. I don’t hate him. When we’re on the court I hate him. But at the end of the day, that’s a guy I ultimately respect,” said Mitchell.

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The Cavalier’s rotation forward had been a fan favorite in Cleveland for 9 long years. Love was part of the championship-winning 2016 squad and stayed during their rebuild too. The Cavaliers finally look like a playoff roster this season with their addition of all-star guard Donovan Mitchell. While Kevin Love has been a valuable servant to Cleveland but with the direction, the organization is going in it looks like leaving was the best decision.

The Cavaliers currently sit 4th in the Eastern Conference and look to achieve their highest finish since 2018 with LeBron James. Kevin Love meanwhile is moving teams but not conferences. The Miami Heat are the 6 seed in the East and could very well meet Cleveland in the playoffs. Kevin Love will get a warm reception from Mitchell and the fans in Cleveland for his contributions to the franchise.

Also Read: “Hell nah”, Giannis Antetokounmpo opens up on picking Jayson Tatum first in the All-star draft

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Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers are a force in the East

Donovan Mitchell (Credits: Twitter)

Donovan Mitchell has been an inspiring signing for Cleveland this off-season. aside from his iconic 71-point performance, Mitchell has been consistently balling out. The All-Star is averaging a career-high in points at 27 along with career highs in field goal percentage. The Cavaliers have won 8 of their last 10 games with Mitchell averaging 23 points in this stretch.

However, the Cavaliers are not a one-man team by any stretch. Darius Garland and Evan Mobley have been vital cogs in this unit. Mobley averages a healthy 15 points and 9 rebounds and is a solid post defender. Garland is their primary playmaker averaging 8 assists and 21 points this season. Cleveland has a legitimate shot at a deep post-season run with this roster. They are also undefeated against the #1 seed Boston Celtics and have beaten all of the top 3 seeds at least once.

Kevin Love will be missed in Cleveland but mostly in spirit. The truth is Cleveland has moved on to a youth-focused roster and Love does not fit in right now. Miami meanwhile has a history of using veterans excellently and will look to do the same with Love. Cleveland and Miami Heat have never faced each other in the playoffs, maybe this trade can break the curse and bring Kevin Love back home in different colors.

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