What will the Cleveland Cavaliers accomplish in 2025-26, and how far will they go?
That is a tough question because, in many ways, they just had one of their best seasons ever.
On the other hand, it was seen as a big disappointment.
Writing for Bleacher Report, Andy Bailey sized up the Cavs and ranked them as if the NBA season were starting today.
Bailey gave them the No. 5 position and said the team has much to prove in the new year.
Last season, they were ranked as No. 3.
“Yes, the Cavs were banged up by the time the Pacers eliminated them, but only mustering one win was still a disappointment. And they followed that disappointment up with a relatively quiet offseason that included the loss of Jerome and the addition of the oft-unavailable Lonzo Ball. Still, the core of this team still makes sense, and Evan Mobley and Darius Garland should still be improving. Donovan Mitchell is a bona fide superstar. And Jarrett Allen complements all three as the no-nonsense rim-runner and rim-protector. Cleveland has made itself a ‘prove it to me in the playoffs’ team, but it will almost certainly win a boatload of regular season games and be in the mix for the conference’s best record again,” Bailey wrote.
Bailey is cutting the Cavaliers some slack, but he is like the many fans who agree that the team has to show a lot in the new year.
If they aren’t able to correct their postseason problems, many more people will be talking.
Their offseason adjustments were minor but could be very significant.
Adding Lonzo Ball and Larry Nance Jr. might be big boosts for the back and frontcourt, and the core of the squad remains strong.
But everyone agrees that everything is riding on the new season.
Another brief, disappointing run in the playoffs, and the Cavaliers could be heading toward major changes.
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