As the resumption approaches, DNA of Sports continues its traditional presentation, franchise by franchise, of the upcoming NBA season. Like every year, this takes the form of a countdown, from the teams expected at the bottom of the ranking to our favorite for the champion title. Today, direction Cleveland to evoke the Riders who, without LeBron James, have finally managed to return to the playoffs in 2023.
Cavs who nevertheless saw their 2022/23 financial year end on a sad note, since they were sharply eliminated by the Knicks in the first round (1-4).
Suffice to say that this elimination, which certainly did not suffer from the slightest dispute, tarnished the previous few months. Several months during which the newcomer’s teammates Donovan Mitchell and of Darius Garland have validated the progress already seen throughout the 2021/22 season.
The objective is therefore quite clear for these Cavaliers version 2023/24, still led by JB Bickerstaff : remain, at least, in the Top 4 of the East and then go through (at least) one round of the playoffs. At first glance, this will necessarily involve a change in dimension ofEvan Mobley in attack and by good integration of recruits, as well as a Jarrett Allen more inspired and successful than against New York in the playoffs…
SUMMER MOVEMENTS
Arrivals: Max Strus, Georges Niang, Ty Jerome, Tristan Thompson, Damian Jones
Departures: Cedi Osman, Danny Green, Raul Neto, Lamar Stevens, Robin Lopez
THE PLAYER TO FOLLOW: EVAN MOBLEY
If he is already among the league’s elite in defense (third in the last vote for the Defender of the Year trophy, all the same…), Evan Mobley must still take a step forward in attack in order to allow his team to take a collective step forward itself.
For now, he is content to be “only” the Cavaliers’ third offensive option, significantly exceeding the 16-point average mark with 12 shot attempts per game. Figures that we expect to see climb for the third NBA campaign of the young interior from San Diego (California).
JB Bickerstaff has also announced a Bam Adebayo role for Evan Mobley this season, that is to say that he will touch the ball more in attack, to serve as a relay and starting point for actions for his exteriors. Enough to imagine an exercise synonymous with explosion and a destiny of MIP? Especially since if Cleveland intends to progress in the Eastern hierarchy, this will necessarily involve the progress of the 3rd choice of the 2021 Draft.
Average age: 27.1 years
Payroll: $174 million (13th)
THE IDEAL SCENARIO
Revengeful after their painful elimination from the last playoffs, the Cavaliers go from trot to gallop and they enter the Top 3 of their conference, along with the inevitable Bucks and Celtics. Like last season, Donovan Mitchell is playing at an All-NBA level and he can count on the valuable support of his friend Darius Garland and especially that of Evan Mobley who, as hoped, becomes central in the Cleveland attack.
In the shadows, the efficiency of Jarrett Allen, the external skill of recruits Max Strus and Georges Niang, the versatility of Caris LeVert or the welcome contribution of Dean Wade, Isaac Okoro, Tristan Thompson, Ty Jerome and Damian Jones on more or less long sequences make the Cavs collective as complete as it is formidable. Good news also: the return during the exercise of a rediscovered Ricky Rubio, who relieves Darius Garland.
Everything is going well for this Cleveland team, which reaches the playoffs with a label on its back, but above all collective guarantees which offer it the possibility of dreaming of a conference final.
THE WORST SCENARIO
If Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland still accumulate big statistical outputs, the Cavaliers’ game remains too dependent on the performance of its backcourt, Evan Mobley not being able to establish himself in the collective hierarchy to take a step forward in attack, while Jarrett Allen fails to regain his All-Star status.
On the wings, the arrival of Max Strus has not corrected the problem since the former Heat does not impose himself in the eyes of JB Bickerstaff, while Caris LeVert and Isaac Okoro blow hot and cold.
Overall, we find the same faults and the same qualities as during the previous year, with this defensive solidity which allows Cleveland to reap victories and compensate for the offensive greed of the Garland/Mitchell duo. The problem is that the attack is still predictable, especially since the rumors about the future of Donovan Mitchell, increasingly courted by the Knicks, are disturbing everyone…
It is therefore ultimately a tasteless 2023/24 exercise for Cleveland, certainly qualified with difficulty for the playoffs, but whose journey is quickly coming to an end. Donovan Mitchell has the head more than ever and the front office of the Cavs part ways with JB Bickerstaff, lacking ideas to take this group to the next level.
