The Cleveland Cavaliers are quietly positioning themselves as darkish horse championship contenders, with the potential to be a Prime 4 group within the Japanese Convention this season. Donovan Mitchell‘s contract extension removes any offseason uncertainty, securing the All-Star guard for at the very least the following three years. Now, the main focus shifts to new head coach Kenny Atkinson, who inherits a proficient roster returning with the identical formidable beginning 5.
After a promising run final 12 months, the Cavaliers are poised to purpose larger. Something lower than a deep playoff run can be thought-about a disappointment. Mitchell, one of many elite guards within the league, is a dynamic scorer who can create his personal shot, facilitate for his teammates, and assault the rim. His backcourt associate, Darius Garland, additionally handled accidents within the postseason, however when wholesome, the duo kinds one of the crucial potent backcourts within the NBA.
The Cavs’ beginning 5 – Mitchell, Garland, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen – ranks among the many greatest within the league. Whereas there could also be considerations about depth, the mix of Mobley and Allen offers Cleveland a defensive edge, particularly within the paint, the place each excel as shot-blockers, averaging 1.4 and 1.1 blocks per recreation, respectively, final season. Mobley, solely 22, continues to develop right into a star, and his development can be key to Cleveland’s success this season.
Because the group appears to be like to keep away from the posh tax (after re-signing Okoro), potential roster strikes might contain reducing non-guaranteed contracts like Tristan Thompson or Sam Merrill. Nevertheless, with the identical roster largely intact, Atkinson’s teaching and Mobley’s continued improvement, notably in enhancing flooring spacing, would be the key components in propelling the Cavaliers into critical championship rivalry.
Returning: Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Caris LeVert, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, Tristan Thompson, Ty Jerome, Sam Merrill, Zhaire Smith, Craig Porter, Pete Nance, Emoni Bates.
Additions: Jaylon Tyson (California), Jacob Gilyard (Brooklyn), Zhaire Smith (Cleveland, G League), Jules Bernard (Washington), Luke Travers (Melbourne),
Departures: Damian Jones (to Zhejiang), Isaiah Mobley (to Philadelphia)
Nick Cammett/Getty Photographs
New head coach Kenny Atkinson inherits a formidable beginning 5 that gives the Cavs with each offensive firepower and defensive energy. If the younger gamers off the bench develop correctly, together with the group’s top-tier protection, Cleveland is positioned to be a high group within the league.
Depth considerations and three-point taking pictures inconsistencies stay. Whereas they added some taking pictures, they’re nonetheless a league-average three-point taking pictures group, with little enchancment. Their lack of depth might additionally lead to a reliance on younger expertise for vital contributions.
Nick Cammett/Getty Photographs
HoopsHype: 2nd within the Central Division, fifth within the Japanese Convention
ESPN: 1st within the Central Division, 2nd within the Japanese Convention
Sportsbooks: 48.5 projected wins
HoopsHype compiled the consensus win averages by gathering win projections from eight sportsbooks, together with FanDuel, Fanatics, BetMGM, DraftKings, ESPN BET, BetRivers, Caesars, and bet365.
