CLEVELAND — Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland isn’t shortchanging himself on how soon he could potentially return from toe surgery, and Cavs small forward De’Andre Hunter expects to start during the upcoming NBA season with Max Strus sidelined after foot surgery.
Those newsy developments and quotes about the team’s determination to bounce back after its 4-1 loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals were at the forefront of Cavs media day Sept. 29 at Rocket Arena.
But else did we learn?
Here’s a sampling of topics:
Cavs star Donovan Mitchell preparing for possibility of heavier workload but trying to be smart about it
The Cavs don’t need All-NBA guard Donovan Mitchell to be in “midseason form” during the fall.
Yet, Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman described Mitchell with those words last week.
“Donovan Mitchell has been just a tremendous teammate and leader for this organization, but we’re kind of trying to hold him back from himself right now, right?” Altman said. “He’s in midseason form right now, and we need him peaking at the end of the season. He’s been very intentional about how he wants to condition his body to be ready for this run.”
Several Cavs players touched on the theme of improved conditioning because, let’s face it, the Pacers basically ran them off the floor last spring during the second round of the playoffs.
Mitchell understandably wants to have his body ready for the wear and tear of a season, especially after dealing with calf strains in each of the past two years.
“I made it a point to be ready earlier, especially once Max [Strus] went down,” Mitchell said, referencing Strus undergoing foot surgery on Aug. 26. “Honestly, once I got that phone call, I think within the next two days, a mental shift just happened. Just understanding what’s going to be required, not being Superman, but understanding that being ready for what’s necessary [should be a focus], understanding that we have enough talent in this room to win.
“We led the East last year in [regular-season] wins. I’m just saying I’m ready for whatever. It’s just time. I really don’t have any other way to describe it. It’s just like I’m ready to go, and I understand. [By] the same token, it’s a long journey, too. [I’m] not being stupid with the process but also understanding that my body is ready for whatever’s needed, and it’s better to be here and have to scale it back than to be catching up because that’s where bad things start to happen injury-wise.”
Like with most things in life, balance is crucial.
Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell hosted offseason workouts for Cleveland Cavs teammates
All-Star forward Evan Mobley and Mitchell hosted Cavs teammates for offseason workouts in Los Angeles and New York, respectively.
Mitchell has previous experience with organizing such get-togethers, but it was new for Mobley.
“It was a fun time,” Mobley said. “We had some open runs and got to play together for a little bit. It was fun seeing each other again. [We] went to the sand dunes as well and did some team-bonding stuff. It just brought everyone closer.
“This is a player-led league, so I feel like if the players aren’t doing that, then you’re not going to make it very far. I feel like it’s everyone’s goal to go further next year. And for us to do that, we’ve got to learn from what we did last year and build on that.”
Cavaliers guard Lonzo Ball says he will be ‘full go’ right away during Cavs training camp
Guard Lonzo Ball said he’ll be “full go” when the Cavs open training camp Sept. 30 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
An offseason trade acquisition, Ball’s 2024-25 season with his previous team, the Chicago Bulls, ended on Feb. 28 because of a right wrist sprain.
“I’ve been doing everything with the team,” Ball said. “I haven’t had any setbacks. [I’m] looking to get training camp going and preseason and right into game one.”
Cavs players share fun offseason moments during Cleveland’s media day
Cavs players, including Donovan Mitchell, talk about how they spent their offseason this past summer during Cleveland Cavaliers Media Day, Sept. 29.
Ball has an extensive injury history, with left knee issues presenting the most trouble in the past.
As a result, Ball said he doesn’t expect to play on the second night of back-to-back games, at least not early in the 2025-26 season.
“Probably early on, definitely not, but maybe as the season goes on, it’s something that can change,” he said.
Sam Merrill discusses contract extension he signed with Cavs in video
Sam Merrill went from spending seasons in the NBA G League to signing a lucrative contract extension with the Cavs this year. He reacted to the deal.
Sam Merrill knew about other options in NBA free agency, but he’s happy to be with Cleveland Cavaliers
Shooting guard Sam Merrill signed a four-year, $38 million contract extension with the Cavs in June. Merrill conceded he thought he might land elsewhere in free agency.
“There was potential to end up somewhere else, but I really felt good about this organization,” Merrill said.
A player who spent time in the NBA G League from 2021-23, Merrill expressed gratitude for the Cavs making a significant investment in him. He received the good news while golfing with friends at Glenwild in Park City, Utah.
“The entire round, I was just on the phone with my agent trying to finalize things and whatnot,” Merrill said. “I knew going into free agency that I was going to get something and going to play somewhere, so it wasn’t a like a shock to the system.
“But getting what I got with a team that I love and I’m grateful for, it’s just a really exciting … blessing. I tried to celebrate a little bit, but at the same time, I went and worked out the next morning and just focused on being the best that I can be.”
Cavs trade rumors caught Dean Wade’s attention
Cavs forward Dean Wade didn’t sign a new contract this offseason, but he did see his name surface in a few trade rumors.
“It was different, for sure, but it’s nice to see the value that I hold here is also the value that other teams have for me,” Wade said. “So it’s nice to see it out there. It’s different. It definitely isn’t the best feeling, but if you’re going to spin it in a positive light, that’s the only positive of the whole thing.”
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.