Cavs notes: Donovan Mitchell, James Harden want to return

CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers' offseason will be shaped by what the front office will do with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. Mitchell has one year left on his contract, but it's not guaranteed. The plan is to sign him to a multiyear deal for the max. He'll likely be traded if he turns down Cleveland's offer. "I love it here," Mitchell said. "I don't know how else to say it. There's no doubt this group can get there (to the NBA Finals)." Harden has a player option and reportedly wants a two-year extension. He said he "100 percent" wants to return to the Cavs. "I want to be here," Harden said. "I think we found something." LeBron James' return Mitchell wouldn't answer whether he wants LeBron James to return to Cleveland. He said that was a question for president of basketball operations Koby Altman and general manager Mike Gansey. "That is not for me," Mitchell said. Analytically speaking Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson shocked some people when he said his team has won two of the first three games of the series "analytically." Of course, that's anything but the case as the New York Knicks swept Cleveland. One would think some people, maybe even Knicks coach Mike Brown, would frown upon such statements. "I believe in it," Atkinson said. "Analytics is here to stay. You have to embrace analytics and utilize it if you want to advance in this business. It's needed. At the end of the day, though, you have to have your gut involved in any decision." Long-distance runners In the postseason, the Cavs have run 70 more miles than New York in the games in which they've played. "It's so hard for me to judge," Atkinson said. "You need a sports scientist to break that down. I can't think in those terms." The Cleveland coach said it's all about "mental toughness" at this stage of the season. Schroder sidelined Cavs backup point guard Dennis Schroder was inactive for Cleveland with an illness. Instead of playing third-string point guard Craig Porter Jr., Atkinson loaded up the minutes on James Harden, who played 21 minutes in the first half. Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.