New York native Donovan Mitchell is disappointed Jacob deGrom is leaving Queens.
Mitchell, a die-hard Mets fan, jokingly said after Friday’s game against the Orlando Magic that he’d have words for deGrom, who signed a blockbuster five-year, $185 million deal with the Texas Rangers on Friday.
“Probably gonna give him a call and cuss him out or something,” Mitchell said during the Cavs’ postgame press conference on Friday night.
The 26-year-old guard noted that he’d been friends with deGrom for several years, and that he was “happy for him and his family.”
Mitchell has long been more than your average Mets fan. His father, Donovan Mitchell Sr., has worked for the organization for over two decades. He currently serves as the team’s director of player relations and community engagement. The Cleveland star has been seen at a number of Mets games in team gear, and even once took batting practice in the box at Citi Field.
“As a Mets fan, this hurt,” Mitchell said.
He said he was in attendance for what was deGrom’s final Mets start in Game 2 of their Wild Card series with the Padres.
You hate to see a guy like that go,” Mitchell said. “He’s a Hall of Famer. We had high hopes, but we still got a talented squad. We got a great group, but when you got a guy like Jake.. I’m just glad he’s in the AL. … Don’t got to see him, 10, 12 times a year.”
After months of rumors about a trade to the Knicks from the Utah Jazz, Mitchell was traded to the Cavaliers before this season. He’s currently averaging 24.1 points per game on 44.4 percent shooting with 4.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists and has led Cleveland to a surprising 15-8 start.
Mitchell will also be in New York on Sunday when the Knicks play host to the Cavs at MSG.