The Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the biggest disappointments in the NBA in the early going. The Cavaliers entered the season with high expectations, but they have gotten off to a surprisingly slow start. As a result, the Cavaliers have a lot of decisions to make between now and the trade deadline.
Cavaliers Have Several Decisions To Make As NBA Trade Season Heats Up
Cleveland sits in eighth place in the Eastern Conference with a 15-14 record, having dropped three straight games. The Cavaliers enter Monday’s home game against Charlotte on a three-game losing streak. They have lost eight of their last 11 overall and are just 10-5 against teams with losing records — the Cavs went 36-7 against teams with a losing record a season ago. Not surprisingly, people in the Cavaliers organization, including owner Dan Gilbert, are not happy with the Cavs’ performance, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
“Two sources with knowledge of the situation, very close to the situation, say that Dan Gilbert is heartbroken about what is going on,” Fedor said. “He turns on the games, and he hears boos? Four times in the last five home games? Turns on games and sees the Cavs trailing by double digits again. Sees the Cavs leading by one minute in the second half of these games.”
This is not the way it was supposed to go for the Cavaliers, who basically kept their roster intact from a team that earned an Eastern Conference-best 64 wins a season ago. At the beginning of the season, the Cavaliers were projected to win at least 55 games and earn a top-four seed. They also projected to be a serious contender in the East and possibly reach the NBA Finals.
Why Have The Cavaliers Struggled In The Early Going
Granted, injuries have been a major reason for Cleveland’s struggles. The Cavaliers opened the season without star point guard Darius Garland and forward Max Strus, who has yet to make his debut. Jarrett Allen has missed 11 games, and Sam Merrill has been sidelined since November 17. Meanwhile, Evan Mobley is out at least another week with a Grade 1 calf strain.
Due to the injuries, Kenny Atkinson has used 16 different starting lineups. His most-used first-unit lineup has started six games. But the Cavs’ troubles run deeper than the injuries.
Cleveland, which led the NBA with 121.9 points per game a year ago, ranked in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive rating. The Cavaliers are 11th in offensive efficiency and 14th in defensive rating while playing at a faster pace.
The concern offensively is how much the Cavs are struggling to shoot the ball. The Cavaliers were the second-best shooting team in the league last season. But they rank in the bottom third of the league in field goal percentage (22nd), three-point percentage (27th), and free throw percentage (27th) this season.
Cleveland’s biggest problem may be on defense. The Cavaliers have allowed 120 points in four straight games. The Cavs’ eight double-digit losses already are more than they suffered last year (7).
The Cavaliers allow opponents to shoot 46.5% from the field, though that figure has increased to nearly 47% over the last 10 games. The Cavs’ biggest problem has been perimeter defense, particularly at the point of attack. They, Donovan Mitchell and Garland, are struggling to contain dribble penetration and constantly require help.
Cleveland’s 3-point defense is average at best. The Cavaliers are allowing 13.3 threes a game at a 36.1% clip, though those numbers have climbed to nearly 15 treys on 37.1% accuracy over the last 10 games. However, most concerning is their defensive intensity, which fluctuates game-to-game. Like last year, defensive rebounding has been a problem for the Cavs.
What Can The Cavaliers Do To Save the Season?
While the early portion of the season couldn’t have gone worse, there is time for the Cavaliers to turn things around. The easiest course of action is that the Cavs will get healthier and be the efficient team they were a year ago.
Cleveland has a chance to right itself a little before Christmas. The Cavaliers host Charlotte tonight and then New Orleans on Wednesday. But their schedule gets tougher starting Christmas Day in New York. Following the Knicks game, the Cavs finish 2025 in Houston and San Antonio before hosting Phoenix on New Year’s Eve. They then begin the New Year with contests against Denver, Detroit, and Minnesota (2).
Cleveland will continue to be severely shorthanded, at least at the beginning of this stretch. Seven Cavaliers are on the injury report, including both two-way players. The good news is that Donovan Mitchell (illness), Craig Porter Jr. (illness), and Merrill (hand sprain) are probable versus the Hornets.
However, Larry Nance Jr. (calf), Mobley, and Strus remain out. Strus still doesn’t have a timetable, while Nance and Mobley likely won’t return until next week at the earliest.
With Strus’s return unknown and the upcoming demanding schedule, the Cavs may need to make a move to remain in contention for a top-6 seed, let alone a championship. Here is the problem: the Cavs have very little flexibility, as Fedor explained.
“And he’s paying a huge a luxury tax bill,” Fedor continued talking about Gilbert. “It’s the highest payroll in the NBA. It’s the only team in the second apron. He’s willing to do that when he thinks the team has a chance to win the championship. When he believes in the group that he has. But it’s not that early anymore. … When you see this 29 games in, you start asking questions if you’re the guy in charge of everything in this organization.”
Fedor suggested that Gilbert has become more involved in the basketball operations department of late, and that could factor into the team’s moves ahead of the trade deadline.
3 Moves The Cavs Could Make To Improve The Team
Despite financial limitations, Cleveland has a few avenues to improve the team. The Cavs need a two-way movement wing who can knock down threes at a league-average or better rate.
Fire Kenny Atkinson
Firing Atkinson would be surprising, but Insider Marc Stein reported that Atkinson’s seat is getting warmer as Gilbert’s anger grows. Atkinson did a fabulous job in year one with the team, though the Cavs were upset in the Eastern Conference Finals, and it was pretty easy. Widely respected as an assistant coach, Atkinson did a decent job with the Brooklyn Nets, though he didn’t have much success.
The Cavaliers shouldn’t have regressed as far as they have. Still, Stein said it is unlikely that Gilbert’s anger will lead to a quick coaching change, as the owner was one of Atkinson’s strongest supporters during the hiring process.
Atkinson has a 197-222 record overall (47%), but is just 6-8 in the playoffs in two trips.
Trade Darius Garland
Garland is an outstanding lead guard, but he and Mitchell are too similar. Garland, who is inconsistent off the play, has struggled this season and is shooting just 37.9% from the field and 32.2% from deep. The Cacs are just 5-8 in the games that Garland has played. The 25-year-old has two years and a little over $87 million left on his contract after this year.
What does the Cavaliers need in return for Garland: One starting‑caliber wing, a defensive upgrade somewhere in the lineup, and cap flexibility.
Trade Jarrett Allen
Allen is a very good center, but he does have his limitations. Allen is limited offensively and not great on defense. Plus, he is not a great fit alongside Mobley as he clogs up the spacing. An excellent rebounder, particularly on the offensive glass, Allen has struggled on boards this year — averaging just 7.5 rebounds per game, his lowest since his rookie season.
What could the Cavaliers get in a trade for Allen? A two-way wing is the ideal return, as mentioned above. But the Cavs would likely accept a deal for a starting center who can space the floor and a young wing.
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