The Cleveland Cavaliers had one of the most up and down seasons in all of the NBA this year. They were 17-16 at the end of December, which was highly disappointing for a team that had the highest payroll in the league.
From injuries to inconsistent play on both ends of the floor, the Cavs looked dead in the water. They started to turn things around in January, but that didn’t stop them from trading for James Harden at the trade deadline. Harden’s addition was a huge reason why Cleveland finished the seasons on a 35-14 run.
The Cavs were able to finally break through this postseason and make the Conference Finals, but they were swept by the Knicks. While it is noteworthy that the team made it deep into the playoffs, Cleveland is still a couple notches below the best teams in the league. That is why this offseason is crucial, but it seems like the organization has their plans in place.
The Cavs seem set to run it back for the most part
The vibe from the end of season presser Koby Altman gave today suggested that Cleveland seems to be happy with their roster construction for the most part. They are expected to bring back both Donovan Mitchell and Harden, and despite Evan Mobley being in trade rumors for Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, it looks like the young big man will also be back.
Bringing back that big three should be the plan for the Cavs. Mobley is only 24-years old and has shown that he can be an All-NBA talent in the league. He also had a very impressive playoff showing.
As for Mitchell and Harden, they showed that they can be a capable offensive duo together, but also had their inconsistencies in the playoffs. The potential is there for the two veteran guards to blossom next season, as long as Cleveland surrounds them with the right pieces.
The Cavs should not be overreacting to a sweep in the conference finals and rightfully so. Their stars for the most part showed that they can fit together. Retooling the depth around them should be the key. This is a team that is desperate for help on the wing and the team needs an infusion of athleticism and positional size across the board.
If they want to build around Donovan Mitchell as the number one option, then they need to plan accordingly.
This is a Cleveland team that could look very different come opening night. While it looks like they won’t land another superstar, expect the Cavs’ roster to undergo changes this summer. Just not a massive overhaul.
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