After spending season after season of the post-LeBron James era around the bottom of the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers exceeded most expectations with their 44-38 finish and berth in the play-in tournament last year.
Now, the Cavs return many of their young but bright players on this year's roster - along with a major addition.
The Cavs' blockbuster trade for All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell last month gave fans even more incentive to fix their attentions on a possibly burgeoning East contender that already held a still-growing core that includes reigning first-time All-Stars Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, rookie standout Evan Mobley, developing Isaac Okoro, veterans Kevin Love and Cedi Osman, and reigning pickups Caris LeVert and Ricky Rubio - the latter of whom returned to the Cavs this offseason after a deadline trade last year.
We Have Options
As the Cavs rear toward what they hope to be an even more successful season, their primary core seems to be solidifying its future, as both Okoro and Mobley's options were picked up by the Cavs via a Saturday announcement.
Mobley was one of the NBA's fastest growers over the course of the 2021-22 campaign, as the 7-foot USC product was a unanimous All-Rookie First Team selection after posting 15.0 points and an NBA rookie-high 8.3 rebounds per game, as well as 2.5 assists and a rookie-best 1.7 blocks per contest.
Okoro, meanwhile, comes off his second NBA season in which he averaged 8.8 points and 3.3 rebounds, while remaining an integral piece of the Cleveland defense. However, that didn't stop Okoro from blossoming offensively late in the year; he was 46% from the 3-point line over his final 28 regular season games, and increased his field goal, 3-pointer, and free throw percentages from his rookie season.
Along Came a 'Spida'
Of course, the Cavs' expectations were further elevated by the team picking up Mitchell from the Jazz for a plethora of draft picks, as well as a players package that included Collin Sexton and Lauri Markkanen.
Mitchell, who earned his third consecutive All-Star nod last season, averaged 25.9 points in 67 games last season, along with averages of 4.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.3 steals. He has yet to average less than 20 points a game since entering the league in 2017.
'Spida' will now join a backcourt that, along with Garland, will now be considered a considerable force in the East, if not the entire Association.
Cut Cavs
While the Cavs retain many of their end-of-season core from last year, some changes had to be made before the start of this season.
R.J. Nembhard was one of five players officially waived by the team on Saturday, along with Sharife Cooper, Mamadi Diakite, Nate Hinton, and Jamorko Pickett.
Nembhard who originally signed a Two-Way contract with Cleveland last October, appeared in 14 games for the Cavs last season. He was converted to a standard NBA contract on Mar. 31 and waived on Apr. 7 before signing additional two-way contracts with the Cavs on Apr. 10 and Jul. 3.
Beginning Over the Border
The Cavs will start the season outside of the United States, traveling to Toronto for the opener against the Raptors.
Last season, the Raptors finished with a 48-34 mark (fifth in the East standings) before losing a first-round playoff series to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Cleveland had good luck against the Raptors, earning a 3-0 record that included a 144-99 drubbing last December in which the Cavs tied a franchise record with 46 points in the third quarter. Garland and Love each scored 22 points in the victory.
