Draymond Green has shared his view on who truly owns Cleveland in basketball terms. The Golden State Warriors forward made his case on his podcast this week.
The debate started after the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Los Angeles Lakers 129-99. This happened on January 29, 2026, during LeBron James' emotional return to Cleveland.
Jaylon Tyson grabbed a microphone after the game and made a bold claim. The 23-year-old said, "This is Donovan Mitchell's city now," according to ESPN.
Green responded on The Draymond Green Show the following day with a firm take. The 4-time NBA champion praised Mitchell but drew a clear line between talent and legacy.
"This is more Kyrie Irving's city than it is Donovan Mitchell's city because Kyrie Irving won a championship in Cleveland," Green stated.
The 35-year-old also named Tristan Thompson, Iman Shumpert, and J.R. Smith as title holders. He said they hold a claim until the current roster "hangs a banner of their own."
Mitchell has averaged 29.1 points per game in the 2025-26 season. But the guard acquired from the Utah Jazz in 2022 has not advanced past the second round.
Kyrie Irving's 2016 Title Run Remains Cleveland's Standard
Kyrie Irving's performance in the 2016 NBA Finals set a high standard for Cleveland sports. He led a historic comeback from a 3-1 deficit against the 73-win Golden State Warriors, averaging 27.1 points per game.
His clutch go-ahead three-pointer over Stephen Curry with 53 seconds left in Game 7, known as "The Shot," secured Cleveland's first NBA championship.
Irving's scoring was crucial for the Cavaliers, highlighted by his 41-point game alongside LeBron James in Game 5, making them the first teammates in Finals history to both score over 40 points in a single game.
Mitchell's talent remains clear around the league. But Green's view reflects a simple NBA truth where championships define city ownership and Cleveland awaits its next banner.
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