The Cleveland Cavaliers are off to a slow 15-14 start.
The Cleveland Cavaliers came into the season as one of the favorites to win the Eastern Conference. However, Cleveland has struggled out of the gate, with a 15-14 record through 29 games.
With their struggles, the Cavs are seen as "vulnerable" around the league. "There are teams around the league that are saying, ‘Hey Cavs, what’s your appetite for breaking this up?'" Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com said.
Cleveland has had some injuries, but even when healthy, they haven't looked like the same team they were last season when they won 64 games and were the number one seed in the East.
Star guard Donovan Mitchell has played well, averaging 30.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. He is shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from three.
Despite his impressive season, the Cavs haven't been able to have consistent success. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley has been solid, but hasn't taken the offensive jump that many expected.
The 24-year-old is averaging 19.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, a steal, and 1.6 blocks per game. He is shooting 49.6 percent from the floor and 35.2 percent from deep. Mobley is still playing well, but the Cavs will hope for more from him on offense when he returns from his calf strain.
Cleveland's other star guard, Darius Garland, has been inconsistent in his return. He has appeared in 13 games, averaging 16.9 points, three rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. Garland is shooting an inefficient 37.9 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from behind the arc.
However, he showed signs of his All-Star self, finishing with 35 points and eight assists in Cleveland's loss to the Chicago Bulls on Friday. Perhaps not coincidentally, his best game of the season came when Mitchell was out of the lineup.
The other Cavs All-Star, Jarrett Allen, has appeared in 18 games, averaging 14 points, 7.5 rebounds, two assists, and a steal per game, shooting 58 percent from the floor.
Cleveland's core four have struggled with injuries, but when on the floor, the fit is questionable. Teams will likely continue to call about Garland and Allen, as well as forward De'Andre Hunter.
Given their struggles, the Cavs must take phone calls to see if it's time to break up their core and build differently around Mitchell and Mobley.