The Cleveland Cavaliers were 15-0 heading into their matchup with the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, they suffered their first defeat with a score of 120-117. Still, they possess the NBA’s best record, and that would make superstar Donovan Mitchell the best player on the best team. So does Mitchell have a chance to win the MVP in the spring?

Does Donovan Mitchell have a shot at the MVP?

Regardless of Mitchell’s stats this year, he will face an uphill battle when it comes to winning the league’s most valuable player. A guard hasn’t won the award since James Harden did so in 2018. When he did, he averaged 30.4 points, 8.8 assists and 5.4 rebounds per night. The last three guards to win the award all had record-breaking seasons when they won the MVP. Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double all season in 2017, and Steph Curry was the first unanimous MVP in 2016.

At first glance, Mitchell’s numbers may not spell MVP, but he’s easily having the most efficient year of his career. The 28-year-old is averaging 25.3 points, 4.0 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. However, Mitchell is shooting a career-high 40.9% from three. Besides his solid stats, the Cavs are the best team in the NBA. Cleveland is the fourth team ever to start a campaign 15-0, and Mitchell has the Cavs on pace to finish with the best record in the league.

Since 2015, five of the nine MVP winners have been on the team with the best record in the NBA. If Mitchell has a strong season, his team record could play a big role in the MVP award. According to DraftKings, the five-time all-star sits at seventh in the MVP rankings (+3000). Sports Reference’s MVP tracker ranks Mitchell ninth, behind teammates Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen.

Is it realistic?

With the recent dominance of Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid, it seems almost impossible for Mitchell to become MVP. However, the Bucks and 76ers are off to a rough start, which gives Mitchell a chance if the Cavs keep winning. During his career, Mitchell finished sixth in MVP voting during the 2022-23 season, his first year in Cleveland.

Based on the start of the season, Mitchell will likely face his toughest competition from Jokic and Jayson Tatum. Both players’ teams are off to a good start as they fill the stat sheet.

LeBron James is the only Cavalier to win the MVP before. He did this twice, in 2009 and 2010. Mitchell would join the elite company if he won the award.

The last word

When the Cavs traded for Mitchell in the summer of 2022, they couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. Mitchell has become the face of the franchise in Cleveland, leading them to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons. Mitchell and his teammates are focused on bringing a second championship to the city of Cleveland this year. But if the Cavs have the league’s best record at the end of the season, don’t be surprised if Mitchell is in MVP conversations.