Cleveland Cavaliers: 2016 Offseason Grades

Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the fourth quarter with guard J.R. Smith (5) against the Golden State Warriors in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the fourth quarter with guard J.R. Smith (5) against the Golden State Warriors in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 9
Next

As the defending NBA champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers took care of business this summer to remain contenders. Here are their complete 2016 offseason grades.

Cleveland Cavaliers
Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the fourth quarter with guard J.R. Smith (5) against the Golden State Warriors in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Coming off their first ever NBA championship season, the Cleveland Cavaliers and their fans were living the Hakuna Matata life. The impending draft and free agency period felt like something for other teams to worry about, but not the defending champs.

More from Cleveland Cavaliers

Even if LeBron James shocked the world again and left Cleveland, even if the Cavs returned to being Eastern Conference bottom-feeders, and even if J.R. Smith had to finally put a shirt back on, no one could ever take that championship away from them.

Luckily for the Cavs and their fans, the front office was not complacent over the summer.

With the Golden State Warriors retooling and adding Kevin Durant, the Cavaliers were unable to match that kind of marquee move from their Finals opponent over the last two years.

They did, however, manage to cement their place as top dogs in the Eastern Conference, locking King James back in and trying to address some of their departed depth. The Cavs still have one matter of business to attend to, but for the most part, Cleveland kept its title window open for more than a one-and-done.

Here’s a look at the Cleveland Cavaliers’ complete 2016 offseason grades.

Next: The Draft