Cavs have plenty of star power, but little room for error

The Cavaliers have four former All-Stars in their starting lineup, an intriguing new addition on the wing and a roster that just reached the Eastern Conference finals.

So what’s not to like?

Well, there are a few things. And with the regular season about to begin, those questions are becoming more important.

The Cavs enter the season ranked ninth in ESPN’s preseason NBA power rankings, with a projected 47.9 wins and an 88.4 percent chance of reaching the playoffs.

Those are respectable numbers, of course. But Cleveland didn’t spend the offseason trying to put together a respectable team. The idea is to reach the NBA Finals, and the front office made some expensive decisions based on the belief that its current core can get there.

As ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted, the Cavs could have explored bigger moves involving Giannis Antetokounmpo or Jaylen Brown. Such pursuits, however, likely would have required parting with Evan Mobley.

Instead, the Cavs stuck with Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Jarrett Allen, then made a significant investment in acquiring Peyton Watson from the Nuggets.

That decision could go a long way toward determining how this season unfolds.

A big bet on Watson

The Cavs have been searching for the right wing combination for years. Now they’re hoping Watson can provide some of what has been missing.

Watson showed considerable promise in Denver, particularly with his defensive versatility, athleticism and ability to make plays without dominating the ball.

Cleveland believes there’s considerably more to his game, and ESPN’s Zach Kram offered an optimistic prediction involving Watson, Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson.

Kram suggested the three could combine to average 40 points while shooting better than 40 percent from beyond the arc. That would be quite a development for a team whose greatest offensive strengths have generally come from its guards and big men (and not necessarily the wings).

And it would give coach Kenny Atkinson considerably more lineup flexibility, particularly in the playoffs, when opponents have been able to exploit Cleveland’s limitations on the perimeter.

But the Watson acquisition came at a price. As Windhorst pointed out, the Cavs had to sacrifice considerable depth to bring him aboard while maneuvering below the second salary-cap apron.

That leaves them relying heavily on younger players such as Tyson, Tyrese Proctor and rookie Meleek Thomas. All three have talent. Whether they’re ready to handle significant responsibilities on a championship contender is another question.

Defense needs to improve

There’s also the matter of the Cavs’ defense. They finished 15th in defensive efficiency last season after four consecutive years among the league’s top 10.

That decline was particularly noticeable from the perimeter. According to ESPN, opponents averaged 14.2 made 3-pointers against Cleveland, the fifth-highest total allowed in the NBA.

The Cavs made only 10 more 3-pointers than their opponents over the entire regular season. A year earlier, that differential was plus-199. That’s a significant change for a team that expects to compete with the league’s best.

Watson should help, and Mobley and Allen remain formidable interior defenders. But the Cavs will need better collective work on the perimeter, especially when Harden and Mitchell are sharing the backcourt.

The offensive possibilities, meanwhile, remain considerable. ESPN’s André Snellings pointed to Harden’s ability to create easy opportunities for the frontcourt players, particularly in pick-and-roll situations.

Allen enjoyed his best scoring month of last season shortly after Harden arrived, and there is reason to believe Mobley and Watson could benefit similarly.

Still, integrating two high-usage guards presents its own challenges. Harden and Mitchell are both at their best when they’re involved in creating offense, and finding the right balance will be one of Atkinson’s ongoing assignments.

Not many moves left to make

Perhaps the Cavs’ biggest concern is what happens if the roster needs another adjustment.

ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks noted that they’re just $45,000 below the first salary-cap apron, leaving almost no room to maneuver financially. They also have limited tradable draft assets after the moves of recent seasons.

That doesn’t mean the Cavs are completely out of options. But another significant trade could require moving Allen or a valued rotation player such as Merrill or Tyson. And that’s not exactly an ideal position for a team already concerned about depth.

The Cavs have clearly chosen their direction. Rather than breaking up the core or pursuing another superstar, they’re betting that continuity, improved chemistry and the addition of Watson can push them through the East.

It’s a reasonable gamble. Mitchell remains an elite scorer, Harden offers another accomplished playmaker, and Mobley and Allen provide a foundation that most teams would gladly take.

But expectations have changed. The Cavs aren’t simply trying to win 50 games or secure home-court advantage in the playoffs anymore. They’ve done enough of that.

What matters now is whether they can hold up against the very best teams when the games become more demanding. 

ESPN sees the Cavs as a top-10 team entering the season. The Cavs believe they’re capable of considerably more. They may be right.

But with an expensive roster, a thin bench and few obvious avenues for improvement, they’re going to need an awful lot to go right.