NBA Power Rankings Preseason Edition: Lakers moves lead the way

Last Season: 22-50, 13th in Eastern Conference

The Cleveland Cavaliers have dabbled in a rebuild since LeBron James left, making three selections in the Top 10 across the last three drafts. The problem is that they never cleared their books, re-signing their players to hefty deals to continue playing out the string of mediocrity.

This offseason they continued that trend. They added a fourth top prospect through the draft, but they also signed a pair of big men to a combined $167 million and traded for a veteran point guard making $17.8 million. The Cavs want their cake and to eat it to, and they might end up with the worst of both worlds.

Key Offseason Move: Drafting Evan Mobley at No. 3. Mobley is an exciting draft prospect, a 7-footer with perimeter ball skills and hefty defensive chops. He elevated a mediocre USC team in college into the Elite Eight, and on a Cavs team devoid of defensive difference makers much of the last three seasons, Mobley looks like a great piece to build around.

The problem is that the Cavs gave $100 million to a center to block Mobley from his most valuable long-term position, and then sending their best defensive player in Larry Nance Jr. out for the right to sign Markkanen for $67 million. That might not matter in the long run, but in the short-term it’s crowded and expensive in the frontcourt. We haven’t even mentioned Kevin Love and his $31.3 million yet!