Cleveland Cavaliers: 2016-17 Season Outlook
Best-Case Scenario
The Raptors regress and the Celtics aren’t quite as dangerous as advertised, allowing the Cavaliers to coast to the East’s No. 1 seed. With home-court locked up, Cleveland is able to strategically rest its starters, but not before LeBron James puts up enough numbers to claim his sixth MVP Award.
The Cavs manage to deal Mo Williams away and free up space for a quality backup point guard — most likely Chalmers, which allows the world to enjoy at least one sideline shouting match between LeBron and his favorite little brother teammate.
Cleveland stays healthy at the perfect time of year, breezes through the East en route to their third Finals appearance, and puts all that extra rest to good use against a banged up Warriors team that had to travel through another Western gauntlet. LeBron captures his fourth title, winning Finals MVP honors while the Cavs repeat as NBA champions.
Worst-Case Scenario
With Toronto seeking some kind of advantage on the Cavaliers and the Celtics looking formidable, Cleveland’s rest goes overboard and they fall to No. 3 in the playoff picture.
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Mo Williams’ contract clogs up the books and a roster spot, as Cleveland is unable to trade him away. This leaves the roster very thin in the backcourt, and that lack of depth comes back to haunt the Cavaliers when Kyrie Irving is banged up again.
With LeBron now 32 and Kyrie and Love on the mend at the most pivotal time of year, the Cavaliers just don’t have enough in the tank to return to the Finals. They are stunned in the conference finals by the Raptors or Celtics, who have home-court advantage on their side.
LeBron’s six-year streak of making it to the Finals is snapped and Kevin Durant captures his first title, which in turn prompts him and Curry to re-sign in Golden State and remain a thorn in the King’s side for years to come.
Next: Predictions