The Cleveland Cavaliers dropped to 15-12 after a rough 119-111 overtime loss to the struggling Charlotte Hornets. The team has yet to match last season’s regular-season success, and Donovan Mitchell sits at the center of the issue. The star guard is a key reason for the Cavs’ slide, but not for the reasons most expect.

“I had one of those nights in a situation I’m not allowed to have one of those nights,” Mitchell said after the game.

The Spida, who has been one of the very few bright spots, or rather the most consistent man for the Cavaliers, took the blame upon himself for this loss. Well, it wasn’t his best night after all. The Cleveland star finished the game with just 17 points on 6-of-24 shooting from the field, along with 7 assists and two rebounds.

“If I play better, we win that game. I don’t want to put that on anything else; put this one on me. We competed, we fought, but I played poorly on both ends of the floor, and that’s what happens. I understand, but if I just had half of myself tonight, we win. So, that’s all me, and I know my teammates won’t say that, but I will,” he further elaborated.

The 29-year-old looked disheartened by his performance against the Hornets. However, that’s exactly what the problem with the Cavaliers is this season. Despite having a star-studded roster, no one can step up if Mitchell is having an off day.

So far this season, Mitchell has been Cleveland’s top scorer, averaging 30.7 points per game. Not just that, he even leads the team in assists with 5.5 per game while also averaging 3.8 rebounds. This indicates that he should be the last person on this roster to apologize for having a bad game. In fact, his words shed light on a much bigger issue with the Cavs.

It’s not just about his slump, but about the $200+ million roster the Cleveland Cavaliers front office has assembled, which ideally should be competing for championships. However, instead, they are sitting 8th in an Eastern Conference that is wide open this season. Well, given the fact that the franchise has a huge wage bill and isn’t winning games, it won’t be long before they’ll have to break this core.

As a matter of fact, players like Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, who are on huge contracts, might be forced to leave Ohio. That wouldn’t be much of a surprise either, as the organization wouldn’t want to pay a hefty luxury tax for a roster that cannot even make a deep playoff run. Meanwhile, the fans have already demanded help for Donovan Mitchell.

Fans urge the Cavaliers front office to bring in help for Donovan Mitchell

“First line is the issue, unfortunately,” one fan wrote after hearing Donovan Mitchell’s statement. She pointed out that the fact that the team’s superstar isn’t allowed to have an off night is the biggest concern, which is pretty accurate as well. After all, players like Jarrett Allen should step up whenever Mitchell isn’t having the best of games.

However, he didn’t, as he finished the games with 9 points in 23 minutes, which isn’t acceptable at all. That’s exactly why the fans want someone on their team who could help the Spida. “This man can’t be out there giving 110% every game, but everyone else playing like a-s. The rest of the team needs to step up, or we need to bring in some people who will support him,” one fan wrote, sharing this sentiment.

Indeed, that’s what the Cavaliers need. Given their second apron situation, as stars such as Darius Garland are on five-year, $197.2 million deals, the franchise won’t be willing to pay if they don’t win games. Meanwhile, the Cleveland faithful have seen enough. “Sad he can’t have one bad night,” someone wrote after watching Donovan Mitchell make such a statement.

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However, that wasn’t all, as more such reactions poured in with fans seemingly upset with Mitchell’s teammates and the franchise as well. “That’s how a-s Garland and Mobley is Donny gotta score 40, or they get blown out,” a user commented on X. Well, even though the fan’s intention was right, given that both Evan Mobley & Garland haven’t done much this season, this doesn’t apply to yesterday’s game.

It is because Mobley was dealing with a calf strain and was on the sidelines for this matchup. Meanwhile, Garland did put up a team-high 26 points from 8-of-19 shooting from the field, along with 9 assists and two rebounds. Nonetheless, a few believe that if others don’t step up, the Cavs are not winning a ring anytime soon.

“This right here is exactly why the Cavs are not winning a ring with the personnel they have,” he suggested. He indicated that the lack of leadership among other players is the reason why Cleveland will not succeed with this crop of players. Now, will this prompt the front office to make some changes to their roster amid this recent slump? Only time will tell.