Cleveland Cavaliers: Biggest strengths and weaknesses for 2017-18

The Cleveland Cavaliers had a ho-hum offseason until they made a blockbuster trade to a conference rival.

The Cleveland Cavaliers enter the 2017-18 season with an intriguing task on their hands. Despite cruising through the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 12-1 record, it’s been back to the drawing board for them all offseason after falling to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals in five games.

On Aug. 25, Kyrie Irving‘s wish to be traded finally came true. Irving was sent to the Boston Celtics for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, a 2018 first round draft pick and a 2020 second round draft pick.

The trade took away one superstar and gave them another in Isaiah Thomas, depending on when he can return from a hip injury.

The move also gives Cleveland an interesting addition in Jae Crowder. Add to that the 2018 first round draft pick from the Brooklyn Nets and all of a sudden there’s a reason for optimism in Cleveland.

The Cavaliers didn’t make many moves in the 2017 NBA Draft, choosing to sit out the night.

In free agency, they signed Jose Calderon to solve backup point guard woes, but Calderon is a liability defensively. The surprising signing came with former MVP Derrick Rose, giving the Cavaliers’ another potential dynamic in the backcourt.

They signed forward Jeff Green, adding depth at the wing position, but Green could eventually fade in the rotation with Crowder on the roster. There’s still LeBron James, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson to work with as Cleveland looks to add a solid group around them.

The Cavaliers look like they finally have some versatility and youth that could get them over the hump in 2017-18. Here’s a look at their strengths and weaknesses entering next season.