The Cleveland Cavaliers’ offseason was much quieter than expected after The Athletic indicated that massive fluctuations were to be expected at the beginning of the summer.
To date, Cleveland’s 20th pick in the first round: Jaylon Tyson is the only new face in burgundy and gold. The Cavs still have three open roster spots and three two-way contracts to fill this summer, but financial constraints and other priorities have halted that movement. Cleveland has extended the contracts of Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley to max contracts, but the hesitant decision on Isaac Okoro’s restricted free agency and the Cavs’ lack of depth have made for a questionable offseason at times.
The Cavaliers are surrounded by conference rivals vying for the title of reigning champion Boston Celtics. The Philadelphia 76ers have signed Paul George and the New York Knicks have snapped up Mikal Bridges. The Cavs are not far behind their competitors, but the front office’s hesitant approach this summer has not been welcomed by everyone.
As the offseason quiets down, various publications have begun speculating on the best NBA teams. NBA.com has released two power rankings breaking down the projected finishes for each conference. Although the Cavaliers finished fourth in the East last season, this year’s offseason points to a possible decline.
John Schuhmann took detailed look at each team after the free agency deal for NBA.com and ranked them according to their expected strength in the Eastern Conference. Unsurprisingly, the reigning champions remained in first place. After Boston, the New York Knicks stole second place. The Sixers completed the top three.
Surprisingly, the Indiana Pacers climbed to fourth place, displacing the Cavaliers. Schuhmann highlighted the Pacers’ offensive efficiency in the passing game and the talent of the team’s leading player, Tyrese Haliburton. However, that ranking represented a drop for Indiana. A week earlier, the Pacers were in second place in the East. The Pacers didn’t have any major additions or departures this offseason either, but they are still among the conference’s leaders after reaching the Conference Finals this year.
The Cavaliers were two spots behind their division rivals, finishing sixth in the standings, with the Milwaukee Bucks just ahead of them. Schuhmann pointed to Cleveland’s struggles in the postseason over the past two years on three-point shots, and highlighted the inconsistent performance that the Cavs have struggled to overcome in recent years. Cleveland’s offensive performance drops off sharply in the postseason, and only the coaching change seems to be failing to impress analysts.
A drop out of the top four would be a failed regular season for the Cavaliers after securing home-court advantage in the playoffs the past two seasons. The Cavs have not reached the first round of the playoffs on the road since the 1998 playoffs. Given Mitchell’s long-term commitment, a step back this season is a painful possibility for a team seemingly content to field the same roster under new management.
The big question for the Cavaliers in the article was Evan Mobley’s progress. Mobley signed a max contract this summer and his offensive development will be the deciding factor in the team’s overall potential. Schuhmann said an increase in Mobley’s three-point impact and his own production would greatly improve Cleveland’s chances in the East.
While the ranking could be seen as an insult to the Cavs, it could be true. Despite a wealth of young talent, the four core players were rarely together during Cleveland’s best moments. Playoff inequalities and failures have defined this modern era, and management has made minimal changes to address those deficiencies. The deciding factor in the team’s growth could be Mobley’s aggressiveness and improved role on offense.
If the Cavaliers can’t improve their offense with a new coaching staff and unleash Mobley, the lack of change and full investment in the core could be a massive failure. While the idea of the Cavs’ best four players is exciting and hopeful, the end result has been a frustratingly poor offense in the playoffs and embarrassing losses. Last year’s injuries and terrible post-All-Star play earned the Cavaliers this demoted ranking. They have a lot to prove this season.
This year is undoubtedly a season to prove themselves for the Cavs. While they are not considered true contenders, another short postseason run or a dismal end to the season could spell disaster for the up-and-coming team. The Cleveland Cavaliers will hopefully see a reinvented offense under Kenny Atkinson that focuses on team participation and more off-ball movement for shooters. Atkinson’s vision for Mobley was inspiring, but it will need to be executed to make an impact. Until then, the Cavs’ place in the conference will be a question mark.
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