It appears your Cleveland Cavaliers will be banking on familiarity heading into the 2024-25 NBA season.
They are highly likely to feature the same starting five as last season — Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Max Strus, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Their bench should be largely the same, though they are expected to move on from the likes of Tristan Thompson, Damian Jones and Marcus Morris.
Granted, there are still things to figure out with restricted free agent Isaac Okoro, as well as the looming contract extension for Mobley.
But beyond that, yes, the Cavs should be the same.
That leaves new coach Kenny Atkinson and his staff of assistants as the lone difference. Will that change be enough? Well, the answer is … it could be.
Per NBA insider Bobby Marks of ESPN, the Cavs have done OK so far this summer. And let’s not forget, they don’t have to make big changes to the roster right now. They have all the way until February to make a trade.
“The Mitchell extension puts to rest what could have been an offseason of turmoil for the Cavs,” Marks wrote. “The All-Star guard is under contract for at least the next three seasons (he has a player option in the fourth), so the focus this offseason turns to new coach Kenny Atkinson and his acclimation to a roster that returns the same starting five.”
That said, the Cavs are indeed looking at some free agents and potential trades. Okoro is indeed a bona fide sign-and-trade candidate. The Detroit Pistons and new coach J.B. Bickertsaff are among those interested.
Available big men such as Orlando Robinson, Jay Huff, and JT Thor could be on the radar. Frankly, though, there is not a whole lot out there to sign. So trades are the most likely way to land help up front. That may be where Okoro comes in. The Cavs like him and will try to bring him back. It may not work out that way.
At any rate, it will mostly be about improvement from within, and watching what Atkinson can do with a team that went to the play-in tournament, the Eastern Conference first round, then the East semifinals, respectively.
“Did the $224 million rookie extensions for Cade Cunningham, Franz Wagner and Scottie Barnes set the bar for a new contract for forward Evan Mobley?” Marks asked. “And if so, is extending Mobley to the same contract a smart play considering the roster limitations under the new CBA?”
For the Cavs, the NBA offseason isn’t over. Far from it. But their biggest splash is likely to be the hiring of a new coach and the signing of their star guard to a contact extension. Nothing wrong with any of that.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
Oh,,,, in other words, a BRAND NEW same old thing, huh.
Ho–humm…
I understand the talk is about trading Okoro,,, & maybe yes, maybe no–he’s hot & cold. But Darius Garland is the key. If they’re NOT trading him, & it does look like they’re not, then the question is- WILL HE CHANGE ANY OF HIS GAME. Turnovers & reckless late shot clock passes after dribble dribble dribble, run out the clock type possessions, along with his revolving door defense, will only afford the same results, UNLESS– new coaching assists greatly in changing his threat level.
I sure hope it does. A willingness on his own to objectively view tapes and improve on NOT being so repetitive would change the whole dynamic & with new coaching ideas it just might be a vast improvement for the whole team.
Hoping the bench group can up their respective games as well.