Cavaliers Predicted to Be Worse Next Season Than Last Season

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been predicted to be worse next season than last season by NBA analyst Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report. 

Cleveland went 52-30 last season and reached the Eastern Conference Finals.

However, the New York Knicks swept the Cavaliers and the Wine and Gold didn't get better this offseason. 

"The Cavs need Evan Mobley to develop offensively, although that's become a common wish now heading into Year 6. He and Jaylon Tyson can help carry Donovan Mitchell and company through the regular season, although this is a group that probably only cares about the playoffs at this point," Swartz wrote. "

Dean Wade left the Cavaliers for the Philadelphia 76ers, Keon Ellis left for the Brooklyn Nets and Larry Nance Jr. left for the Indiana Pacers. 

The most significant stab to the heart for Cleveland fans was when LeBron James signed with the 76ers instead of coming back home. 

Without LeBron, Cleveland's core remains the same: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. We'll see if that core can get over the hump next season.

The biggest move the Cavaliers made this summer was signing Mitchell to a massive extension. Mitchell agreed to a four-year, $273 million maximum contract extension with Cleveland.  

The Cavaliers acquired Mitchell from the Utah Jazz in 2022. Mitchell is averaging 26.7 points per game in the regular season and 27.3 points per game in the playoffs in a Cleveland uniform.

Head coach Kenny Atkinson is expected to start Harden, Mitchell, Max Strus, Mobley and Allen next season. Strus could be replaced by Peyton Watson or Jonathan Kuminga if the Cavaliers acquire one of the forwards.   

Cleveland's current schedule for next season features 80 regular-season games, including 17 weekend home dates comprised of two Friday games, nine Saturday games and six Sunday games.

Two additional games will be added at a later date pending the outcome of Emirates NBA Cup matchups to complete the 82-game regular-season slate.

The Cavaliers have 17 national television games next season. They are currently scheduled to match up against each Eastern Conference opponent four times, except Boston (one home, two away), Charlotte (one home, two away), Miami (two home, one away), Orlando (one home, two away), Philadelphia (two home, one away) and Washington (two home, one away).

Cleveland opens next season against LeBron and the 76ers in Philadelphia. That will be an electric atmosphere.