4. Cleveland Cavaliers
Do the Cleveland Cavaliers have a better shot at winning a ring this year than the two teams immediately ahead of them on this list? Absolutely.
Is there a chance they trade the Nets pick and Tristan Thompson for Boogie, LeBron signs a one and one next summer to extend his stay, IT reclaims his health and gets the Kyle Lowry contract, and the Cavs remain Eastern favorites for the rest of the decade? 1000% yes.
Could Thomas’ hip prove to be their unraveling this season, sealing LeBron’s departure and signaling the beginning of a rebuild? It’s at least as likely as all positive scenarios combined.
That’s why they’re here. The likelihood of anyone beating the Warriors this season is almost comical. Sure, injuries happen, but of the two teams, the Cavs are the only one relying on someone who’s already damaged goods before the season tips off.
So much would have to go right for them to win it all this year – another transcendent two month playoff run from LeBron, IT staying healthy and doing Kyrie-level things in June, Kevin Love having his best Cleveland season yet, making the right February trade, and the Warriors experiencing some modicum of bad luck – that putting them any higher would be betting on the future. And the future of this franchise is as uncertain as any in the NBA.
Path to Glory: see above.