The Cleveland Cavs’ offseason is officially underway after their Game 4 blowout loss to the New York Knicks on Monday evening. The Cavs were uncompetitive throughout the series against the Knicks, making it clear that work needs to be done on this roster in order to get it into legit championship contention.
Some have speculated that the backcourt duo of James Harden and Donovan Mitchell could be a short-lived one, depending on what moves Cleveland makes this summer, but recently, ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel dumped cold water on those murmurs.
“League sources have also confirmed that Mitchell is fully locked in to his future with the Cavs and wants to continue to push forward with the franchise,” reported Siegel. “…It is also widely expected that Harden, whom the team acquired at the trade deadline, will be back next season as well.”
Harden was brought in to the Cavs from the Los Angeles Clippers via a trade earlier this season centered around Darius Garland, reportedly due to Harden and Los Angeles not being on the same page regarding his long-term future with the franchise, so it appears there was at least some sort of head-nod agreement in place between Harden and the Cavs prior to the deal going down regarding a new contract with the team.
Meanwhile, the Cavs will still have to look elsewhere to improve this roster, whether that comes in the form of a reunion with LeBron James, a trade for a star like Giannis Antetokounmpo, or another move, as the Knicks series made it clear that this team is a ways away from truly competing for a title.