Donovan Mitchell was traded to the New York Knicks but ended up with the Cleveland Cavaliers. This is the best solution for both franchises, both of whom have playoff ambitions once more. The Orlando Magic are not quite that far, among other things, the hopes rest on Franz Wagner. SPOX makes the check.
The new NBA season is fast approaching. In our ten-part preview series, we take a deep dive into each team’s situation. Here is an overview of all the previews that have been released so far.
NBA-Saisonvorschau: CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Cleveland Cavaliers: The Transactions
newcomers
- Trade: Donovan Mitchell (Jazz)
- Draft: Ochai Agbaji (#14), Khalifa Diop (#39), Isaiah Mobley (#49), Luke Travers (#56)
- Free Agency: Robin Lopez (Magic), Raul Neto (Wizards)
departures
- Trade: Colin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, Lauri Markkanen (under Jazz)
- Free Agency: Moses Brown (Clippers), Rajon Rondo, Ed Davis
Cleveland Cavaliers: Key Stats 2021/22
| Record Regular Season | Offensive Rating | Defensiv-Rating | Net-Rating |
| 44-38 (9th place in the east) | 111,0 (20.) | 108,9 (5.) | 2,1 (13.) |
Cleveland Cavaliers offseason strategy
No team surprised as much last year as the Cavs. Las Vegas only predicted 27 wins for Cleveland, which ended up being 44. The Cavs also had some bad luck with injuries and tumbled out of the top 6 late in the season, only to lose in the play-ins to the Brooklyn Nets and the Atlanta Hawks fail.
The guarantors of success were the big man duo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen on defense, while on the other side Darius Garland made a huge leap and developed into one of the best playmakers in the NBA. Both he and Allen were rewarded with their first All-Star Game, Mobley narrowly missing out on the Rookie of the Season award but would have been just as good a pick as Toronto Raptors’ Scottie Barnes.
This trio is the core of the Cavs, all of whom are still under long-term contracts and are expected to lead the franchise into the most successful period in its history outside of LeBron James. In order for this to work, external help was also procured. In a more than surprising move, the Cavs snapped up Donovan Mitchell via trade and suddenly have four potential All-Stars, all of whom aren’t even prime in their careers.
The rebuild is complete following four years since LeBron’s second departure, also because they practically sacrificed their entire future for Mitchell (three first rounders plus 2 exchange rights between 2025 and 2029). Looking to play at the top with this quartet, Cleveland also strengthened meaningfully on the fringes of the roster. Neto (guard) and Lopez (center) are reliable backups, while the departures of Sexton and Markkanen can be tolerated. Sexton didn’t really sit well with Garland while the Finn was wasted as a small forward.
Cleveland Cavaliers: The weak points
In the previous year, apart from Garland Shot Creation, the big problem was this construction site was solved with the addition of Mitchell. At the same time, the Cavs now have one of the smallest backcourts in the NBA, with neither known as a plus defender. Especially in the playoffs this should become a big problem. If Rubio returns following his cruciate ligament rupture, you at least have an alternative on the bench.
It looks different on the wing. Okoro is more of a guard than a wing defender, otherwise hopes rest on Dean Wade. It’s solid, but not much more. Cleveland will have to upgrade here in the coming years. Ideally, this Mr. X can defend and throw, since shooting off the backcourt is also rare. Last year the jumbo lineup worked because at least Markkanen was a dangerous shooter, this element has now broken away.
NBA Preview: The Cleveland Cavaliers roster
| Point Guard | Shooting Guard | Small Forward | Power Forward | Center |
| Darius Garland | Donovan Mitchell | Isaac Okoro | Evan Mobley | Jarrett Allen |
| Raul Neto | Caris LeVert | Cedi Osman | Dean Wade | Kevin Love |
| (Ricky Rubio) | – | Dylan Windler | Lamar Stevens | Robin Lopez |
Cleveland Cavaliers: The Beacon of Hope
The trade for Mitchell is primarily one thing, a bet on Evan Mobley. The Cavs have identified him as the upcoming franchise player and defensively the 21-year-old showed that he can be one of the best in the NBA. It may be he who answers the question of who should defend the best forwards in the East in this Cavs team.
Mobley is so mobile, so flexible – it cannot be ruled out that he does at least a respectable job in this regard. There is still a lot of room for improvement in attack. He has the litter in his repertoire, only the odds have not fit so far. If he can improve here in the coming years, Mobley will be one of the best two-way players in the NBA and a subscription All-NBA candidate.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Conclusion
Similar to Minnesota in the West, this Cavs team is a very interesting experiment. Cleveland has amassed a lot of talent over the years, but the big question is whether they all fit. With Mitchell there is more offense, but the defense will most likely not be as good as last year.
It cannot be ruled out that there will be growing pains at first, which is worth mentioning given the high quality in the east among the top ten teams. Either way: These cavs are not a real contender either. But if the team finds itself, it can play for home field advantage. A false start might also threaten the play-in tournament.