Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Donovan Mitchell is more at peace these days.
Nearly three years ago, Mitchell played his final game for the Utah Jazz — a Game 6 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs. After the game, the questions came: Do you want to be in Utah? Have you thought about asking out?
They didn't come out of thin air.
There had been more than whispers surrounding Mitchell's desire to stay with the Jazz. He had a strained relationship, at best, with co-star Rudy Gobert and the team was starting to be on the older side. Throw in a sleight from a state senator, an early playoff exit, and the assumption he wanted to head back home to New York, and, well, it was easy for the rumors to grow.
Things are different now for the former Jazz star.
"For the first time in what four years no one's talking about where I'm going to next," said Mitchell. "I think that's always a blessing. You don't realize how much that really — I don't want to say drains you — but it definitely is there. But now I'm at a point where I'm at peace."
The Cavs beat the Jazz 120-91 on Sunday to snap a four-game losing streak. But that recent streak is about the only thing that's gone wrong for the Cavs this season. Cleveland is 57-14 and well on its way to the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Mitchell had 16 points in 21 minutes against a Jazz team that shot 36% from the field.
He's at peace with his current situation where he will be chasing a championship this spring in Cleveland, but also peace about his past.
No, his time in Utah didn't end on the best note, but he can look back fondly on his time with the Jazz. Being back in Salt Lake City brought a flood of positive memories: It was the place he grew up, going from a mid-first-round pick to a budding superstar nearly overnight and captivating a fan base in the process.
He was reminded of all that when he looked out the window and saw the Wasatch Mountains again.
"It's just beautiful," he said.
That Jazz team, though, had run its course. That's what the front office believed when Danny Ainge and Justin Zanik opted to blow up the squad that was a year removed from having the best record in the league and start a long-term rebuild.
Even years later, Mitchell can't say he disagrees with the approach.
"I think we had our opportunity," he said. "There were a lot of windows. We had plenty of opportunities to take care of it — we had injuries one year, and the last year we were together, we just didn't capitalize. We had a really talented team, a talented group. … We missed our window. I've got to a point now where that's OK — we did a lot of positive things."
He's determined not to miss another one.
Mitchell was taken aback by how the city has changed since he was traded. The area around the arena is home to high-rise hotels, new condos, and high-end restaurants.
"There's all these damn buildings! I don't even recognize it. There's an STK here," he said with a smile. "Right after I leave, everything gets put in."
As his former home's downtown has changed, so has Mitchell.
He has a more mature approach to his game. This is the second time in five seasons he will lead a team to the best record in a conference. Yet, Mitchell is barely mentioned in the MVP race.
That is partly intentional. He doesn't have as high of a usage this season (he's averaging his fewest points per game since his second year in the league), choosing to defer more for the betterment of the team.
"At the end of the day, I've taken a step back to allow the team to grow," he said. "You don't necessarily get rewarded for that. I've done a lot of the individual scoring; everybody knows I can score, but the next level is empowering guys around you, making your teammates better. So I'll take that over MVP — just because it's team success, it's winning. And that's kind of been my mindset all year."
Playing back on the home court served as a reminder of how quickly things can change and how fast contending windows can slam shut.
"As you get older, you're definitely grateful for your time here," he said. "Now I'm in a position where I can hopefully take this team (the Cavs) to the next level. But it doesn't happen without going through the positives and the negatives here."
