The Cleveland Cavaliers had a strong regular season, largely thanks to Donovan Mitchell, yet they got eliminated in the playoffs.
Despite finishing as the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 64-18, the Cavs fell short in the second round of the playoffs. Unfortunately, it marked the second year in a row after losing five games.
Kenny Atkinson, who led the team this season, was named the 2025 NBA Coach of the Year in his first year with the franchise. Despite this achievement, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins criticized Mitchell for never having reached the Conference Finals in his eight-year career.
Perkins claimed that Mitchell had a role in firing former coach J.B. Bickerstaff, alleging a lack of communication and support between Mitchell and Bickerstaff.
“A Donovan Mitchell-led team has never been to the Conference Finals. Donovan Mitchell, you got a coach fired. You got JB Bickerstaff fired. This is a fact. You had no communication with that man while he was there. You didn’t like him, right? Soon as he got fired, you signed a contract extension, right? You extended with the Cavs,” Perkins said as per WireHoops.
Kendrick Perkins calls out Donovan Mitchell 😳
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 19, 2025
“A Donovan Mitchell-led team has never been to the Conference Finals. Donovan Mitchell, you got a coach fired. You got JB Bickerstaff fired. This is a fact. You had no communication with that man while he was there. You didn’t like… pic.twitter.com/cVcYkbQw4z
Rumors also suggest that Mitchell’s influence contributed to Bickerstaff’s dismissal. However, Mitchell signed a contract extension about a month and a half after Bickerstaff’s firing, and Atkinson was already taking over as head coach by that time.
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In addition to coaching changes, the Cavaliers also faced injury challenges during the postseason. Darius Garland missed significant time and both.
Cavaliers Likely To Make Changes While Donovan Mitchell To Remain
The Cavaliers’ recent playoff performance has left them scratching their heads.
They are in a difficult position after their elimination in the first round by the Pacers for the third consecutive season during the Mitchell era.
The disappointment is obvious, especially as their previous achievements, including a first-round sweep of the Heat.
As a response to these challenges, there’s a growing sentiment that the current roster, often referred to as the “Core Four”, may not be championship-caliber. The consensus is shifting from speculation to the realization that significant changes may be necessary.
DONOVAN MITCHELL OMG!!!!! 😱🤯 pic.twitter.com/kmPfXgVG9e
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 7, 2025
Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen could be traded. Meanwhile, Evan Mobley is considered untouchable, and Donovan Mitchell will likely remain.
If the Cavaliers decide to move on from some of their key players, they would need to target players who can help them with defense and provide consistent scoring.
However, recent reports suggest that the organization may choose to maintain the status quo and not make major changes despite the disappointing playoff exit.
Also Read: Donovan Mitchell’s Car Collection: Inside the Luxury Garage Of The Cavaliers Star
