2024-25 Kia Season Preview

2024-25 Team Preview: Cavs invest in core, set sights on joining East elite

Cleveland paid up to keep its top talent and hopes that good health will shine upon the Cavs in the 2024-25 season.

Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland

Are Darius Garland (left) and Donovan Mitchell ready for a breakout campaign in 2024-25?

Offseason

  • Re-signing: Jarrett Allen, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley
  • Additions: Coach Kenny Atkinson
  • Draft: Jaylon Tyson (No. 20 pick)
  • Departures: Coach JB Bickerstaff
  • Unsigned Free Agents: Damian Jones, Isaiah Mobley, Marcus Morris Sr., Pete Nance, Isaac Okoro, Tristan Thompson

Last season

Injuries to crucial players followed the Cavs almost from start to finish. Despite that, the team still managed to win 48 games, secure the fourth seed and reach the Eastern Conference semifinals before losing to the eventual champion Celtics. Mitchell once again delivered a superb season with 26.6 points, 6.1 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game before injuries slowed him in the postseason.

Mobley, Allen, Caris LeVert and newcomer Max Strus contributed when healthy, as did Darius Garland (who missed 25 games). The Cavs were stubbornly successful but never flirted with creating a spot for themselves among the East’s elite. Cleveland remains devoted to its nucleus but parted with Bickerstaff shortly after its playoff exit.


Summer summary

There was a predictable and understandable outcry in the coaching profession when Bickerstaff was shown the door. Given the injuries, his work was commendable, but to paraphrase former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy: If they don’t get you on record, they get you on relationships.

Atkinson was the most attractive assistant coach in the league and seems a capable replacement, although relationships spoiled his stint with the Brooklyn Nets. With their lone first-round pick, the Cavs took Tyson, who shuffled between three colleges in three years, finally enjoying a breakout at Cal, and brings lots of upside.


Rookie profile

Meet Jaylon Tyson of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the No. 20 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.


Spotlight on

There has been a degree of skepticism regarding Garland and whether he’s a solid fit next to Mitchell. He didn’t have much chance to squash the conversation last season because of injuries, but he’ll either confirm the noise or repel it now. Can the two ball-dominant players coexist, especially late in games when the ball belongs to Mitchell?


How far can the Cavs go?

Rather than make wholesale changes this offseason, the Cavs made a statement with their wallet as Mitchell, Mobley and Allen all signed extensions. The Cavs are going forth with the same group and thinking that a healthy team, for a change, will rattle the cage in the East and be better than you think

That’s certainly possible. It would help, however, if Mobley returns with a more functional offensive game, the Cavs respond under Atkinson and give matchup problems for the top teams in the East. This team can win 50-plus games, but Mitchell will need a strong co-star to go deep into May.


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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.

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