Dan Gilbert: Cavs ‘nowhere near’ where they need to be

CLEVELAND — Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert made one thing clear after the team’s ugly Eastern Conference finals exit.

The Cavs may have taken a step forward this season, but they don’t believe they’re close to where they ultimately want to be.

“We took a step ahead this spring, but we are nowhere near where we need to be,” Gilbert wrote on X following Monday’s 130-93 home loss to the New York Knicks in Game 4. “I can’t thank the fans enough for the support this year. We will dig in all summer and do everything we possibly can to take the next step. We will grind until we get there.”

Gilbert also congratulated the Knicks and wished them luck in the NBA Finals.

The message came shortly after the Cavs were swept out of the conference finals, losing the series by an average margin of 19.2 points and often looking overwhelmed physically and defensively.

Now, they head into what could be one of the franchise’s most important offseasons in years.

Questions loom regarding the futures of James Harden and several key rotation pieces, while outside speculation has already started surrounding coach Kenny Atkinson and the makeup of the roster itself.

Donovan Mitchell, meanwhile, publicly backed Atkinson after the loss.

“I love Kenny, we all love Kenny,” Mitchell said. “People are gonna be people, but I ride or die with him.”

Mitchell also reiterated his desire to remain in Cleveland long-term.

“I love it here,” he said. “We have unfinished business.”