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Reports: Cavs Expected to Retain Kenny Atkinson; James Harden Wants to Return
Mitchell said the Cavaliers can still build on their playoff run and both stars expect to remain in Cleveland next season.
- Following a four-game sweep by the New York Knicks on Monday, guards Donovan Mitchell and James Harden reaffirmed their commitment to the Cavaliers, with Mitchell saying "I have no doubt that this group can get there" and Harden declaring he "100%" wants to return next season.
- The Cavs' fourth-seed finish with a 52-30 record was bolstered by a trade deadline acquisition of Harden from the Clippers, sending Darius Garland and a second-round pick; Harden averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists alongside Mitchell en route to the conference finals.
- Mitchell acknowledged the Knicks "had to go through this" and took responsibility, saying "We did this to ourselves" because the team "didn't handle business," while Harden praised coach Kenny Atkinson, crediting him for "getting me acclimated as fast as possible."
- Cavs owner Dan Gilbert committed Monday night to exhausting options for improvement as Mitchell becomes extension-eligible July 7 for a likely four-year, $272 million deal, while Harden holds a $42.3 million player option for 2026-27.
- With $221.8 million already committed above the second apron, Cleveland faces salary cap constraints limiting external additions, though the Cavaliers could emerge in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks as they explore ways to strengthen their core.
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Cavs overwhelmed by Knicks, head into uncertain summer
CLEVELAND — Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers finally got past the second round and face-planted in the Eastern Conference finals. They weren’t ready for the Knicks or the big stage. The lights were too bright again. Cleveland’s season ended with a resounding, demoralizing and embarrassing 130-93 loss on Monday night in Game 4 to the New York Knicks, who swept the series and advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. Playing on t…
·Warren, United States
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Mitchell, Harden clear on future, Atkinson support
In the wake of getting swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals, Donovan Mitchell reiterated his commitment to the Cavs, expressed confidence in his partnership with James Harden and said he'd like to see Cleveland's core remain together.
·United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left3Leaning Right2Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution38% Left, 37% Center
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources lean Left, 37% of the sources are Center
38% Left
L 38%
C 37%
R 25%
![[your]NEWS](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgroundnews.b-cdn.net%2Finterests%2Ffb6dc495f74049f513563c33352175eaa0ecd509.jpg%3Fwidth%3D60&w=128&q=75)
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