Donovan Mitchell understands the question surrounding his new backcourt partnership with James Harden.
Speaking to Marc J. Spears of Andscape on Saturday at the Intuit Dome before the NBA 3-point contest, the Cleveland star addressed how the two high-usage guards plan to coexist.
“It’s the question everybody asks: How are we going to coexist? What are we going to do?” Mitchell said. “I’ve never played with a guy like James Harden. I never had a guy like that on my team. And we’re not here to figure out like who’s bigger, better or whatever. How are we going to win?”
The comments follow Cleveland’s February 4 trade that sent Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Harden, a former MVP who brings primary ballhandling and half-court creation.
Through 51 games, Mitchell is averaging 29.0 points, 5.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 48.7% from the field and 37.6% from three. Harden, 36, has played three games with the Cavs and is averaging 19.3 points and 8.7 assists in 32.3 minutes.
Cleveland has won all three contests with Harden in the lineup, including road victories over the Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets. In those games, the offense produced 132, 119 and 138 points.
Mitchell emphasized communication as the foundation of the pairing.
“For him to go out there and say he’s trying to help me, that’s huge,” Mitchell said. “For us to coexist, just to be able to communicate and have that open dialog — ‘Hey, this is what I see. This is where I can help build off you.’ — we are great up here mentally, but also with that relationship we’re just trying to win the game.”
The Cavaliers entered the All-Star break at 34-21, fourth in the Eastern Conference and riding a five-game winning streak. They trail the conference-leading Detroit Pistons (40-13) by seven games.
Cleveland’s front office reshaped the roster to maximize this window. In addition to acquiring Harden, the franchise added Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis while moving contracts to create financial flexibility.
Mitchell acknowledged the adjustment period but framed it around urgency.
“A big reset was needed for everybody,” he said. “We need to continue to do what we’ve been doing [after] the break and just be hungry like we have been. Obviously, we have to get James, Dennis and Keon acclimated and continue to do what we do, but continue to be hungry, continue to be desperate.”
With Evan Mobley averaging 17.9 points and 8.8 rebounds and Jarrett Allen anchoring the interior, Cleveland’s core remains intact.
