Donovan Mitchell expected LeBron James to choose the Cleveland Cavaliers or Golden State Warriors this summer. The Philadelphia 76ers were a surprise.
Speaking at Cleveland’s Media Day Monday, Mitchell said a Cavs reunion “made sense” and that he had expected James to pick Golden State if he went elsewhere.
Cavs Media Day 🏀
Donovan Mitchell:
• Cleveland “made sense” for LeBron. Didn’t think Philly would be the pick; thought it would be Golden State if not Cavs
• Signing extension as soon as he was eligible was about “commitment to this group, to this city.” pic.twitter.com/Z2AZEwO74G
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) September 28, 2026
Mitchell had publicly recruited James in July, and Cleveland received an opportunity to make its case in person. James ultimately joined Philadelphia, while the Cavaliers turned their attention toward acquiring Peyton Watson.
Monday’s comments explained Mitchell’s expectations during that process. They did not establish that James had committed to Cleveland or that the Warriors were his second choice.
Mitchell’s recruiting pitch centered on Cleveland
Mitchell appealed to James’ history with the franchise when asked how he would recruit him.
“I mean it’s home, we’ve done it once, let’s do it again, simple as that,” – Donovan Mitchell on his pitch to LeBron James to return to the Cavs. pic.twitter.com/Y9fuH5on2V
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) July 16, 2026
“I mean it’s home, we’ve done it once, let’s do it again, simple as that,” Mitchell said.
His public push for a James return gave the Cavs a recruiting voice from within their locker room. Monday’s account showed that Mitchell had also envisioned how the decision might unfold, with Cleveland and Golden State figuring into his expectations.
The Cavaliers had more than a public appeal to work with. On July 29, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Cleveland received the only in-person meeting James granted during free agency.
Reporting for NBA Today on details behind LeBron James granting only one in-person meeting during free agency — to the Cleveland Cavaliers: pic.twitter.com/e1I9B2B4q0
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 29, 2026
That meeting gave the organization a chance to present its case directly. Neither the meeting nor Mitchell’s recruiting pitch delivered the reunion they sought.
Cavs added Peyton Watson after LeBron’s decision
After James chose Philadelphia, Cleveland increased its efforts to land Watson. The Cavaliers acquired the forward in an August sign-and-trade involving five teams.
Watson offered a specific picture of his potential fit at his introductory news conference. He said playing alongside Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen would allow him to defend more aggressively because of their ability to protect the basket, according to Reedy’s report.
That gave Cleveland a different approach on the wing after its pursuit of James: adding a player who saw opportunities to build his defensive role around the frontcourt already in place.
Mitchell also discussed his own decision to stay Monday. He connected signing his extension when first eligible to his relationship with the team and Cleveland.
He described it as a “commitment to this group, to this city.”
James is scheduled to visit Rocket Arena with Philadelphia on Nov. 6, as Cavaliers Nation previously detailed. Mitchell will face the player he tried to recruit, with Watson now among Mitchell’s teammates.
