

Donovan Mitchell has always played with a fire in his eyes. From his electric rookie season in Utah to becoming the face of the Cleveland Cavaliers, his game has never lacked passion. But in a recent sit-down with NBA insider @marcjspears, the 6x All-Star got candidānot about stats or accoladesābut about his hunger to win a championship. And itās clear: for Spida, the mission is no longer just to be great. Itās to be a champion.
āIāve done the All-Star thing. Iāve made deep playoff runs. But Iām not satisfied,ā Mitchell told Spears. āThe only thing Iām chasing now is a ring. Thatās it. Thatās what I wake up thinking about.ā
The interview was raw, real, and reflective of a player entering the prime of his career with laser focus. Mitchell, now 27, understands that time is moving. The league is stacked with talent, and while he’s built a reputation as one of the most explosive scorers in the game, he knows legacy is cemented in titles, not just highlight reels.
āWhen I came into the league, it was about proving I belonged,ā Mitchell said. āNow, itās about proving I can lead a team to the top. Not just competeāwin it all.ā
Since arriving in Cleveland via blockbuster trade in 2022, Mitchell has been nothing short of spectacular. He averaged a career-high 28.3 points in his first season as a Cav, breaking scoring records and leading the team back to the playoffs. But last yearās first-round exit left a bad taste in his mouth.
āLosing in the first round? That hurt,ā Mitchell admitted. āIām not gonna sugarcoat it. I felt like we left something on the table. And I took that personally.ā
The offseason didnāt feature any viral workout videos or flashy headlinesājust a lot of silence and sweat. Mitchell went back to the lab, focusing on efficiency, late-game execution, and leadership. According to those close to him, heās more locked in than ever.
āItās not just about scoring anymore,ā he told Spears. āItās about making the right reads. Getting guys involved. Defending at a high level. Doing whatever it takes.ā
But Mitchell also knows championships donāt come from individual effort alone. When asked about the Cavsā chances, he praised the growth of the young core around himāDarius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allenāand the chemistry theyāve built.
āWeāve got the pieces,ā he said. āPeople talk about other teams more, but we like that. Weāre flying under the radar. But make no mistakeāour goal is a championship. Thatās the only thing on our minds.ā
As for his long-term future in Cleveland, Mitchell didnāt give away too much. Heās been the subject of speculation, especially with his contract situation looming. But in his conversation with Spears, he made one thing clear: his commitment to winning now.

āPeople are always going to talk,ā he said. āBut my focus is right here, right now. This group. This season. This moment.ā
Marc J. Spears described the interview as one of the most focused and self-aware conversations heās had with a star player. āDonovan isnāt chasing clout,ā Spears said. āHeās chasing greatness. You can feel it in the way he speaks.ā
Mitchellās hunger is palpable. You can see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice, and feel it in the way he attacks each game. Heās been an All-Star. Heās been a highlight machine. But now? Now he wants a seat at the table with the champions.
And if his mindset is any indication, heās coming for that seat fast.
āI want it all,ā Mitchell said with quiet intensity. āAnd Iām not going to stop until I get it.ā š