Previous Threads:
Spoiler:
Time of death: May 13, 2025
Record at elimination: 64-18 (5-4 in playoffs)
Head coach: Kenny Atkinson
Contract summary:
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/yearly
Garland – extension eligible, or 3yr/150M remain
Mitchell – 3yr/150M remain (final year 53M PO)
De’Andre Hunter – extension eligible, or 2yr/50M remain
Jarrett Allen – 4yr/110M remain
Mobley – projected to sign a Max level extension (5yr/224M?)
Okoro – 2yr/22M remain
Ty Jerome – UFA
Sam Merrill – UFA
Tristan Thompson – UFA
Rookie Scale/minimums (varies on 2-4 years remaining):
Dean Wade – extension eligible, or 6.6M QO
Jaylon Tyson – 3yr remain
Craig Porter Jr – 2yr remain
Javonte Green – UFA
TW
Emoni Bates
Nae’quan Tomlin
Luke Travers
Dead-cap – 500k off the Books this year, Rubio’s 424k for 2 more years after
Capspace – will be a 2nd apron team with Mobley’s projected extension.
PICKS for 2025 draft:
MIL 2nd
CLE 2nd
A SMALL SEASON REVIEW:
https://www.espn.com/nba/team/schedule/_/name/cle/seasontype/2
Nearly a month into the Regular Season, Cleveland hadn’t lost a game. It took an inspired Celts performance to do so, leaving the Cavs at a stellar 15-1 off the bounce. ATL and Miami snagged a few early games in there, and CLE lost a few in a row near the end of the season, but the surprise story of the EC this year was how dominant Cleveland was towards an epic 64-wins. The Cavs won more than the defending champs, and only behind OKC for the top NBA spot, sporting a +9.5 Pt Differential, second in the NBA. Most wins were by a comfortable margin.
The Cavs had not one, not two, but three win streaks of 10+ games. Really, they were levels above other teams most nights. It was hard for other teams to break the code. For much of the season the Cavs sported a top-5 defense with league-leading offense. Garland, Mobley, Mitchell, and Allen play well together and form a very well rounded core four players. That 5th wing spot has been tricky to unlock this team further.
We ultimately got to see one dominant series as the Cavs outplayed the Heat for a 4-0 sweep. I expect to see similar winning ways next season with much of the roster locked in. This was a rough last game but they showed me some incredible play and should be proud of that.
Unfortunately, some injuries crept in, much like last year, and in the second round, things have fallen apart for the Cavs. It is sad to see Mitchell have a small ankle issue which cost them a critical G4 loss - and he looked hurt in G5 even though he played tough as nails. Garland (toe), Mobley (ankle), both were out for a couple of games.
Inexplicably, the team with the best EC record bows out to Indiana (Pacers were playing great basketball though, and won 2-0 in CLE to begin the series, one of those a GW shot, so the margins were very close despite the result).
Let's mention the Levert-Niang/DeAndre Hunter trade to slot in at SF for Cleveland. Attempting to find the wing piece to elevate this team further. How did that pan out ? Seems there are still questions to be of the wing rotation here. Ty Jerome and Max Strus played decent when given chances, Jerome had a very up and down playoffs it has to be said.
Mobley has a big contract extension upcoming, but surely this team is looking towards a successful multi-year run of contention. If health rolls the right way, I still have Cleveland as a major threat to win it all. How do you rate Cleveland's season and future ? They have a couple of second rounders to use, limited future firsts after acquiring Mitchell, but would be surely dangerous with a big trade for one of the upset wing players
