Cavs Preview: Cleveland Banking On Talented Core, Familiarity To Overtake East Elite

October 21, 2024

Cavaliers Preview

A look at the Cleveland Cavaliers entering the 2024-25 season …

Coach: Kenny Atkinson
Last Season: 48-34 (lost to the Celtics in the second round)
New Faces: Atkinson, Jaylon Tyson, JT Thor, Luke Travers
Notable Losses: Coach JB Bickerstaff, Marcus Morris, Damian Jones, Isaiah Mobley

Overview

The Cavaliers have been saying all the right things, and all the things they’ve been saying actually make good sense. Familiarity sometimes does result in great success — especially when those familiar faces have lots of talent.

That, ladies and gentlemen, describes these Cavs.

But here’s what isn’t being said — this is a pivotal season, and the pressure is on to show that they’re just a collection of pretty good players.

After finally reaching the playoffs in consecutive seasons — something they hadn’t done since LeBron James left — the Cavs now expect a deeper run. They even managed to snag their first playoff series win without King James since 1993, but that’s not enough to satisfy the front office. They want more offensive flow, more wins, and more than just a fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.

So they have turned to new coach Kenny Atkinson, fresh off successful stints as an assistant with the Warriors and the Clippers. The idea is to elevate everyone’s game.

President of basketball operations Koby Altman made that clear when announcing Donovan Mitchell’s contract extension: “We want to align ourselves with the best teams in the NBA and ultimately compete for championships.”

And yes, there’s a strong case for optimism. Last season, Cleveland finished fourth in the East despite injuries to Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley, who missed a total of 84 games. The trio played just 392 minutes together, and when they did, they dominated — outscoring opponents by nearly nine points per 100 possessions. If they can stay healthy this season, it’s reasonable to expect a significant leap.

Garland’s return to form is also vital, especially after battling a slew of injuries that derailed his season. If he can get back to his All-Star level, it would help Atkinson smooth out the wrinkles in the Cavs’ offense.

But there’s a catch: their construction — two smaller guards and two bigs — could prove to be a hurdle against the league’s elite. The Cavs excelled against weaker competition (57-12 against teams under .500) but struggled against strong teams (41-53 against .500 or better), which raises concerns about their versatility in crucial matchups.

By extending Mitchell, Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, while holding onto Garland, the Cavs are banking on internal growth. Mobley needs to stretch his game beyond the paint, while Mitchell and Garland must find ways to coexist more effectively. Implementing lineups with more wings to create space could be key, and frankly, Atkinson’s fresh perspective might be just what the hoop doctor ordered.

Best-case scenario: Health and Atkinson’s creativity unlocks a top-10 offense. Three Cavs make the Eastern Conference All-Star team, and they secure a top-two seed, avoiding the play-in altogether. If Mitchell delivers a stellar postseason, the Cavs could find themselves in the Eastern Conference Finals, reinforcing belief in their core.

If it all falls apart: The nucleus continues to look a little disjointed, and Atkinson’s adjustments fail to gel. The Cavs struggle to find reliable contributions from a fifth starter, and Mobley still doesn’t emerge as an offensive focal point. If they’re merely fighting to stay in the play-in mix, calls for a core shake-up will echo through the organization and fanbase, marking the end of a hopeful yet ultimately disappointing era.

Bottom line? This truly is a crucial season for the Cavaliers. They have the talent; now it’s about morphing that talent into tangible success.