30 days/30 teams: Cleveland Cavaliers

64 wins while finishing free, the Cavaliers did well last season. A rising star from the East, Cleveland climbed to the top of the regular season hierarchy in year one with Kenny Atkinson on the bench. It was a different story in the playoffs, where a quick blowout against the already rested Heat was followed by a barely less quick elimination against the Pacers.

A real disappointment, partly due to the injuries that have affected several big players, which should serve as additional motivation for the Cavs in the coming months.

With the largest payroll in the NBA, the Ohio franchise didn’t expect to engage in any major maneuvering during the summer. Cleveland had to decide to let him go You Jerome so that he would not have to pay it above market prices. To replace him, the Cavaliers are trying equal Lonzo Ballinteresting in Chicago when he could be on the floor… That’s 70 games in four years. A little short in depth and muscle, the racquet is thickened by the return Larry Nance Jretc signature on Thomas Bryant.

For the rest, she is now very classic in the “Country”. Rear wheel drive Darius Garland – Donovan Mitchell he will be tasked with dynamiting the opponent’s defense in the circle attack as well as at long distances. The racket will remain the property of the duo Evan Mobley – Jarrett Allen. After three years without any real statistical progress, Evan Mobley reached a milestone for his fourth season. More sensitive in the attack, better in shooting from the outside, the forward is now among the best “two-way players” in the league. Can he raise his level even more to the point of becoming the team’s second offensive option?

If he succeeds, it will be even more difficult for Cleveland to maneuver, since in the 2024/25 season he destroyed all defenses in the league (121.9 points, 11th average in history). Number one in the Eastern Conference ahead of Boston who should fall in the hierarchy, and New York 13 wins short, the Cavaliers must be able to maintain their ranking. This is where the real serious stuff starts.

SUMMER MOVEMENTS

arrivals: Lonzo Ball, Thomas Bryant, Larry Nance Jr., Saliou Niang (draft), Tyrese Proctor (draft)

Departures: Javonte Green, Ty Jerome, Chuma Okeke, Isaac Okoro, Tristan Thompson

PLAYER FOLLOWING HER: DARIUS GARLAND

Without too much fanfare, Darius Garland may have had the best season of his career in 2024-25. A second-time All-Star, the Cavaliers’ leader has been able to juggle very well between the need to rotate his team and showcase his scoring talent (20.6 points on 47.2% shooting, including 40.1% on 3-pointers, 6.7 assists).

He even surpassed the 70-game mark for the first time in his career before a toe injury completely ruined his playoff run.

He works during the summer, now he is insured by the conductor of the Cavs be surrendered. That’s all Cleveland and Kenny Atkinson have to hope for. Cleveland lost five of its last seven games played without him last season, including key games 1 and 2 stolen by the Pacers at Rocket Arena in the conference semifinals. Darius Garland is not the leader of his team, but he is one of the key pieces for the Cavaliers offense to put so much pressure on their opponents. His health will certainly be closely monitored by the Ohio franchise.

Average age: 27.2 years

Payroll: $232.2 million (1st)

IDEAL SCENARIO

Boston, the darling of the East the last two seasons that knocked off the Cavaliers in the 2024 playoffs? Decimated by Jayson Tatum’s injury and financial choices. Their 2025 tormentor, the Pacers? Limited by the extended absence of Tyrese Haliburton and the loss of Myles Turner in free agency. Knicks, the last big name in the conference to be complete? Defeated four times in the regular season last season. Cleveland could hardly have hoped for a better alignment of the planets to realize their ambitions.

The Ohio franchise departs with a tough core largely unchanged. Ty Jerome was one of the best bench players in the NBA last season, but he’s shown his limits in the playoffs when the defense tightens up. The Cavaliers return to the fray with Coach of the Year (Kenny Atkinson), Defensive Player of the Year (Evan Mobley) and All-NBA First Teamer (Donovan Mitchell): very solid guarantees to aim high.

If the Cavaliers fail this time around in terms of health at the end of the season, it’s a safe bet they’ll be among the title favorites. And then we’d be curious to see Cleveland in action against the West’s elite (7-1 in 2024-25 against the Thunder, Nuggets, Wolves and Lakers).

WORST SCENARIO

It’s a classic, almost a cliché. The hardest part may be ahead for the Cavs. Because getting through a season is one thing (especially without going all the way), demonstrate continuity of excellence is another. Cleveland will not be able to count on any surprise effect this time. And after coming off a 64-win season, the room for improvement seems limited.

Settings related to absence Max Struss at the start of the season, and replacing Tee Jerome with Lonzo Ball will be the one to watch. De’Andre Hunter It should be noted, Kenny Atkinson’s bench is quickly finding itself very thin in terms of scorers capable of carrying a match on their own. This could be all the more crucial for the Cavaliers, who have been counting on one of the most sought-after rotations in the league (4th in average playing time, 8th in scoring, 1st in 3-pointers made), especially if there are more injuries.