Cavaliers News: New Details Emerge About Donovan Mitchell, J.B. Bickerstaff Conflict

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 09: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at TD Garden on May 09, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Mitchell and former coach J.B. Bickerstaff didn't see eye-to-eye.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have one of the more interesting offseasons ahead of them, among all the teams in the NBA. After being bounced in the second round of the postseason by the Boston Celtics, Cleveland has some soul-searching to do. They let go of their head coach J.B. Bickerstaff following the short playoff run, in part due to some internal conflicts that came about with star guard Donovan Mitchell.

Mitchell has a big decision to make this offseason about his future. He can sign a massive extension to remain in Cleveland for the foreseeable future or he could decline the offer that the Cavaliers will put in front of him. If he were to decline the extension, the Cavaliers would have no choice but to trade him in order to avoid losing him for nothing when he hits free agency.

The Cavaliers front office knows this and they value Mitchell very highly. He was a big reason why Bickerstaff was let go as the two didn't see eye to eye throughout their time together. According to Cavaliers beat reporter Chris Fedor, things just weren't a fit between the two men.

"I think the relationship between Bickerstaff and Donovan they just didn't see things the same kind of way. I don't think it was an asset to the Cavaliers if they had kept J.B. from the standpoint of trying to convince Donovan to stay long-term. It was just not a fit between J.B. and Mitchell."

With Mitchell's massive decision looming, the Cavaliers prioritized their All-Star over their coach to keep him happy. Bickerstaff has his flaws, especially with his team on the offensive end of the floor, so it makes sense to put Mitchell first. Mitchell is the future of the team if he elects to stay in Cleveland, and they want to build around him. Losing Bickerstaff likely wasn't easy, but star players run the NBA.

Cleveland has been optimistic about him staying with the organization going forward, so he is the building block. Mitchell is still in the prime of his career and showed this season that he can put a team on his back. If the Cavaliers can put a more well-rounded team around him, the Cavaliers could be real players in the Eastern Conference next season. It'll be up to the front office to maximize this core group of players, with Mitchell being the head of the snake for the future.

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