Mitchell wants to play with LeBron but ‘I’d rather play against him’

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Anything can happen during a LeBron James free agency frenzy.

In 2010, James took his talents to South Beach and joined forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami. Four years later, he returned home to Cleveland to settle an unfinished business.

Fast forward to 2018, there have been reports of numerous landing spots for James that almost every NBA city could end up being the King’s next home.

James’ possible destination has been a hot topic not only for the media and fans but also the players themselves that even Donovan Mitchell, the Utah Jazz star rookie, was asked if he would want to play with the three-time NBA champion.

“Would I want to play with him? Who wouldn’t?” Mitchell answered when asked during a press conference for his Manila tour with Adidas on Sunday.

At 33, James is coming off a spectacular 15th season in the NBA where he carried the Cavaliers to another finals run before getting swept by the Golden State Warriors in the title series.

Mitchell, however, added he would prefer to remain on opposing ends with James instead of teaming up with him.

“If I have a chance or choice of playing him or beating him, I’d rather play against him and accept that challenge.”

Mitchell, who is in Manila for the first time, just had a memorable rookie season where he took the Jazz as far as the second round of the playoffs.

He averaged 24.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists in the postseason while also breaking numerous NBA records by a first-year player.