Koby Altman says the Cavaliers always carry a chip on their shoulder but are not concerned with outside projections after ESPN dropped Cleveland to 10th.
The Cleveland Cavaliers reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Four months later, ESPN's Future Power Rankings placed them 10th in the league over the next three seasons, down from fourth a year earlier.
Cleveland always carries a chip on its shoulder, and this summer is no different, Koby Altman, Cleveland's president of basketball operations, said Friday as he and head coach Kenny Atkinson met with reporters before camp.
"I don't want to come away with the idea that the Cavs feel slighted," Altman said. "I know the work we do in this gym and the talent level we have. Do we have a chip on our shoulders? We always do. I don't think this summer is unique in terms of national attention or what we think we deserve. That doesn't matter."
ESPN Drops Cavaliers in Three-Year Outlook
ESPN's panel of Ben Golliver, Zach Kram, Bobby Marks, and Dean Oliver scored Cleveland at 60 overall, tied with the 11th-place Toronto Raptors. Current players and future potential make up 60% of the formula.
The Cavaliers scored 75 in that players category. Only the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and New York Knicks rated higher. Marks credited Altman for reshaping the roster despite financial limits and few tradable picks.
Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes went the other direction this summer and ranked Cleveland fourth in his own three-year outlook.
The Cavaliers went 52-30 last season and beat Toronto and the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in seven games apiece. New York swept them in the conference finals and went on to win the championship.
Altman Says Cavaliers Can Be Proud and Disappointed
Altman said the team can be disappointed with how last season ended and proud of it at the same time.
"We need to improve like we have over the last several years," Altman explained. "We're one of the best teams in the league and can compete for championships. We're going to come out of camp with momentum and build off last year's success. Both things can be true. We can be disappointed with how we finished but proud of where we're going and what we've accomplished, especially as the trajectory keeps going up."
Eastern Conference Changed Around Cleveland
The East changed around Cleveland this summer. The Milwaukee Bucks traded Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat on June 22.
Philadelphia acquired Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics, then signed LeBron James on a two-year, $8 million contract in July. The 76ers also hired former Cavaliers general manager Mike Gansey as their president of basketball operations in May. Cleveland promoted Brandon Weems to replace him on Sept. 18.
Cavaliers Not Focused on Outside Projections
Outside projections are not what the front office is watching, Altman said.
"I don't want the headline to be that the Cavs feel slighted because we're not ranked in some publication," Altman said. "We can't worry about that. The East has gotten better and the NBA has gotten better. Teams got better to chase us. When you're a Final Four team, teams need to improve to get to that level."
"We're on that level and want more," Altman continued. "The hunger is what I'm excited about. We need to nail down details, be more specific, and improve accountability. From within, we're not worried about projections."
Cleveland Kept Core Together After Conference Finals Run
Cleveland answered with a four-year, $273 million extension for Donovan Mitchell in July. In August, the Cavaliers acquired Peyton Watson in a five-team sign-and-trade and re-signed James Harden to a three-year, $97 million deal.
The Watson trade left Cleveland without a tradable first-round pick, according to ESPN.
Over the last three regular seasons, the Cavaliers have won 48, 64, and 52 games. The 64-win team entered the 2025 playoffs as the East's top seed, and Cleveland has reached the postseason in all four of Mitchell's seasons with the franchise.
The Cavaliers' season starts Oct. 22 at the Philadelphia 76ers. Their home opener follows two days later against the Brooklyn Nets.
