For all intents and purposes, the Cleveland Cavaliers had a successful 2024-25 regular season. They won 64 games and had the best record in the Eastern Conference. While the regular season was a success, the team’s overall performance was not, as they lost to the Eastern Conference champions, the Indiana Pacers, in five games in the second round of the playoffs.
As they enter the 2025-26 season, the Cavs stand united and ready to take that next step. Cleveland will bring back their same ‘Core 4’-Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.
As he did last season, Mitchell(24.0 PPG last season) will lead the way for the Cavs. He’s the team’s best player, and he will be counted on to continue that role this season. Mobley’s (18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per contest) game continues to evolve. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year has added to his game in the offseason. Expect Mobley to have the ball in his hands more and expect him to have another big-time season. Jarrett Allen(13.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per contest) will continue to be Jarrett Allen. He’ll play defense, he’ll rebound, and he’ll continue to score enough, and Garland(20.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest), who may miss the start of the season with a toe injury, which hampered him in the playoffs against the Pacers and led to him having surgery during the summer. The key for Garland is health. When he was right, the Cavs were tough to beat; when he wasn’t, like during the playoffs, it was a different story for Cleveland.
Having De’Andre Hunter, whom they acquired at the trade deadline, for a full season will help. When he returns from injury, Max Strus is a dependable three-point shooter and a solid role player. Furthermore, the addition of Lonzo Ball, if he can stay healthy, will definitely help the second unit, along with Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson. Moreover, veterans Thomas Bryant and Larry Nance Jr. will add depth to the frontcourt.
Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson is an excellent coach, and one of the reasons Cleveland flourished last season was because of Atkinson. Year 2 of Atkinson will benefit this franchise.
Bottom Line:
With the Eastern Conference presenting a more open field this season, the Cavs are well-positioned to capitalize. The absence of key players in Boston and Indiana could pave the way for the Cavs to make a significant leap and potentially secure a spot in the NBA Finals.
At this point, the Finals are the ultimate goal for the Cavs. With their talent and the competition in the East, there’s a palpable sense of excitement as Cleveland is poised to take that next step.
Prediction:
Cleveland will win 58 games this season and make it to the Eastern Conference finals, but they’ll fall short of the championship. Still, that could be enough for this season to be deemed a success.
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