2017–18 NBA Season Preview: Cleveland Cavaliers
For the Cleveland Cavaliers, this summer played host to a very boring, run-of-the-mill, uneventful offseason.
That is, if you ignore one of their superstars being the center of endless rumors about where he wants to sign when he’s a free agent next year- all of these rumors, of course, speculating that he is already set on leaving Cleveland.
Oh, and also one other thing: their other superstar shockingly forced his way out of town by requesting a trade.
One more minor detail: the Cavs then opted to trade their disgruntled superstar to their rivals.
Did I mention that after nearly a week, the trade came very close to falling through when the most valuable player going to Cleveland in the trade had a very concerning physical?
Offseason Moves
Re-signed: Kyle Korver
Added: Cedi Osman (2015 Draft), Derrick Rose (Free Agency), Jeff Green (Free Agency), Jose Calderon (Free Agency), Isaiah Thomas (Trade), Jae Crowder (Trade), Ante Zizic (Trade)
Lost: Deron Williams (Free Agency), Derrick Williams (Free Agency), Kyrie Irving (Trade)
Before we get to the Irving trade, here’s a scenario to consider:
You’re running an NBA team, and you just lost in the NBA Finals to the greatest team ever assembled in the Golden State Warriors. You have minimal cap space in free agency, but many are willing to take less money to contend for a championship. You have three roster spots to fill.
Here are your two options:
(a): sign three players who can match up well against the Warriors and provide quality minutes in big games, while also fitting in to the offensive system.
(b): sign three players who are well past their primes, aren’t able to stay on the court against Golden State, and strictly provide name value, not on-court value.
Considering they are the Cleveland Cavaliers, it isn’t shocking at all that they chose the second options. Derrick Rose, Jeff Green and Jose Calderon? Really? That is the best they could do?
Now, on to the Irving trade. Shockingly, they got a pretty formidable return, which is an accomplishment in its own right- superstars don’t often get traded for superstar-caliber returns. But Isaiah Thomas is more than serviceable as a replacement for Irving, Jae Crowder is a very valuable piece, Ante Zizic could become something in a few years, and Brooklyn’s first-round pick will be a very valuable piece for them, whether they keep it or move it for another star.
The Key To Their Success
If the Cavaliers want to win the NBA Finals, here is a piece of unfortunate news- they have no chance unless LeBron James plays the series of his lifetime. LBJ is going to need to reach the peak of his basketball career if he wants to take down the powerhouse known as the Golden State Warriors. Sadly, that seems like a long shot.
Player To Watch
Somehow in all of this drama, everybody has forgotten about Kevin Love. He is fully capable of being a very good second option, and if Isaiah Thomas does miss time with his hip injury, he’ll finally get the chance for a more expanded role in Cleveland. And if LeBron does leave next summer, Love’s performance as the number two option will serve as an audition for teams who might try to trade for him, as the Cavaliers would presumably transition into a rebuilding phase.
Best and Worst Case Scenarios
Best Case: The Cavs don’t miss a step without Irving, in fact, the additions of Thomas and Crowder make them better. LeBron James wins the MVP, and Kevin Love once and for all proves his worth to James and the Cavaliers organization. All of this happens en route to a shocking championship victory, enough to convince LeBron to stick around for at least a few more years.
Worst case: Cleveland stumbles through the regular season, again claiming that they will flip the switch and perform up to expectations come playoff time- but then they don’t. By the time the Eastern Conference Finals are in progress, it becomes clear that Cleveland’s opponent, the Boston Celtics, are clearly the better team. Boston handles the Cavs and for the first time in nine years, LeBron James misses out on the NBA Finals- and then he says goodbye to Cleveland, this time for good.
Predicting Their Fate
The Cavaliers will experience a situation much closer to the worst case scenario than the best case- they will struggle at times, but get back to the NBA Finals- but they were no match for Golden State last season, and they did nothing to change that fact. The Cavaliers are manhandled by the Warriors again, and LeBron departs.
