In the 2022-23 season, the Cleveland Cavaliers went 51-31 and were the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference; they made the playoffs for the first time since 2018. However, Cleveland was beaten up by the Knicks and lost their first-round series in five.
As they enter the 2023-24 season, the Cleveland Cavaliers, on paper, appear to be a deeper, better team than they were last season.
Last season, Cleveland struggled at the small forward position. It was like a revolving door that featured Lamar Stevens, Isaac Okoro, Caris LeVert, and Dean Wade. In the offseason, the Cavs hopefully stabilized that position when they acquired Max Strus in a sign-and-trade with the Heat. Strus signed a four-year, $63 million deal with the Cavs.
Strus played in 80 games (33 starts) for Miami this past regular season, averaging career highs in points (11.5), rebounds (3.2), assists (2.1), steals (0.53), free throw percentage (.876) and minutes (28.4). He connected on 197 three-pointers(21st in the NBA). The 27-year-old started in all 23 games during the Heat’s 2023 NBA Finals run, so he brings experience and much-needed shooting.
Also, they added more shooting when they signed Georges Niang. Last season with the 76ers, Niang appeared in a career-high 78 games (one start), averaging 8.2 points and 2.4 Rebounds in 19.4 minutes while shooting .401 (154-384) from the three-point line.
Of course, the Cavs will feature one of the best backcourts in basketball with four-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell(career-high 28.3 points per game) and Darius Garland(21.6 points & 7.8 assists per game). In addition, up-and-coming star Evan Mobley(16.2 points & 9.0 rebounds per game) and Jarrett Allen(14.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks per game) will anchor the frontline.
Coming off the bench, Niang, Caris LeVert, and Okoro will lead the way for Cleveland, and with Ricky Rubio away, Ty Jerome will get minutes at the backup point guard spot. Fan favorite Tristian Thompson is back, and he could play minutes at the power forward and center spots; Damian Jones will also give this team more depth at the center spot. Should be interesting to see what kind of role Dean Wade will have Cleveland this season. He struggled last season, but he’s another guy who could be called on if injuries mount for the Cavs.
Bottom Line:
Again, the Cavs should be better than they were a year ago. Last season, they got their first taste of the playoffs in a long time, and they played like a team that was new to the playoffs. That playoff series against the Knicks should serve them well this season, including their head coach, J.B. Bickerstaff.
With the uncertainty surrounding Mitchell(player option in 2025-26), the Cavs need to have a strong season, which includes at least winning one round for Mitchell to want to stick around.
All that being said, the Bucks, Celtics, and 76ers still appear to be better teams, but Cleveland is pretty close. This team is a legitimate contender.
In the end, Cleveland will be 52-30 this season and will win a round in the playoffs. If not, Bickerstaff could be in trouble, but that’s a topic for another day.
Leave a Reply