Nov 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) grabs a loose ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

'He’s Going to Take Another Leap' – Cleveland Cavaliers Forward Draws Ringing MVP Endorsement From 2 NBA Legends

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Oct 10, 2025 10:32 AM ET

Winning the Defensive Player of the Year award could be a sign of things to come for Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley, as many believe he has the tools to become the league MVP someday.

Kenny Atkinson has already made Mobley’s case before, and NBA legends Tracy McGrady and Carmelo Anthony recently doubled down on the Cleveland Cavaliers head coach.

“I think he’s going to take another leap offensively to pair that with great defensive prowess. I think you can put him in the MVP discussion this year. He’s put on some weight, and as we’ve seen in those clips, I want to see him putting more pressure on the defense. He’s tall, lanky, high shot release, and when he steps out and knocks down that clip from beyond the arc, man,” McGrady said about Mobley via NBA on NBC and Peacock.

Mar 3, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) defends Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) in the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

“MVPs got to be loud, something that’s clear,” Anthony added. “But I do believe Mobley has an opportunity to be an MVP candidate. With that team, what they’re capable of doing — if he takes that next step and he develops like we think he will, he’s an MVP candidate.”

Cleveland Cavaliers News: Donovan Mitchell shares his goal for the team this upcoming season

Donovan Mitchell wants to be viewed in the same class as former Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James. For him to do that, he knows that he must carry his team at least to the NBA Finals within the next few years.

Aug 25, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers basketball star Donovan Mitchell looks on during the first half of the game between the New York Liberty and the Connecticut Sun at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

“I feel like I’m there 1,000%,” Mitchell said via ClutchPoints. “But I think for me to be perceived in that space, gotta get to the conference finals. Gotta get to the Finals. Honestly, just past the second round.”

“I’m gonna go out there and work my butt off every day, not just for the people, for myself,” he continued. “I tell people all the time… you play in May and June, everything takes care of itself. This isn’t a Donovan thing; we all get there, everybody’s life changes.”