The Cleveland Cavaliers are quietly positioning themselves as darkish horse championship contenders, with the potential to be a Prime 4 group within the Jap Convention this season. Donovan Mitchell‘s contract extension removes any offseason uncertainty, securing the All-Star guard for at the least the subsequent 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 intention increased. Something lower than a deep playoff run will likely be thought of 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 companion, Darius Garland, additionally handled accidents within the postseason, however when wholesome, the duo kinds some of the potent backcourts within the NBA.
The Cavs’ beginning 5 – Mitchell, Garland, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen – ranks among the many finest within the league. Whereas there could also be issues 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 progress will likely be key to Cleveland’s success this season.
Because the group seems to be to keep away from the luxurious tax (after re-signing Okoro), potential roster strikes might contain slicing non-guaranteed contracts like Tristan Thompson or Sam Merrill. Nonetheless, with the identical roster largely intact, Atkinson’s teaching and Mobley’s continued improvement, significantly in enhancing flooring spacing, would be the key elements in propelling the Cavaliers into severe championship competition.
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)
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New head coach Kenny Atkinson inherits a formidable beginning 5 that gives the Cavs with each offensive firepower and defensive power. If the younger gamers off the bench develop correctly, together with the group’s top-tier protection, Cleveland is positioned to be a prime group within the league.
Depth issues 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 may additionally lead to a reliance on younger expertise for important contributions.
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HoopsHype: 2nd within the Central Division, fifth within the Jap Convention
ESPN: 1st within the Central Division, 2nd within the Jap 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.
