Cleveland Cavaliers: Buy or sell the Cavs’ hot start to the season?

Buying or selling the hot start by the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the best stories during the first few weeks of the NBA’s regular season. They’re 7-4 and sitting in the top 6 of the Eastern Conferene standings. Question is, should we buy or sell the team’s hot start?

Specifically, after starting the season 0-2 (with losses against the Memphis Grizzlies and Charlotte Hornets) the Cavs are an even more impressive 7-2 over their last nine games. During that span, the Cavs have wins over the Atlanta Hawks, Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, and, most recently, New York Knicks.

Cleveland is doing it on both ends of the floor too. In their last nine games specifically, the Cavs have a top 10 offense and defense, and the seventh-best net rating in the league.

Statistically, the Cavs have seven players that are averaging double-figures in scoring, led by Collin Sexton who is leading the team in scoring with 16 points per contest.

Rookie Evan Mobley has been fantastic through his first few weeks in the league and he’s actually averaging the most minutes played on the roster. Mobley is averaging 15 points, eight rebounds, and three assists on 52 percent shooting from the field.

Darius Garland has been good for the Cavs as well, averaging 15 points and eight assists per game on 48 percent shooting from the field and 44 percent shooting from 3-point range. He may not be having the “breakout” season that many expected him to have this season, but he’s certainly been good enough for the Cavs.

I also don’t believe you can talk about the early-season success of the Cavs without bringing up Ricky Rubio, who is averaging 14 points, seven assists, and four rebounds per game on 41 percent shooting from the field and 43 percent shooting from 3-point range.

Overall, the last nine games suggest that the Cavs are a good team. They are not relying on one end of the floor and are collectively as a team performing at a high level. The Cavs aren’t relying on just one player and that generally proves to be the best way for unlikely teams to stay the course even during tough stretches.

Heading into this season, the Cavs weren’t performing under much expectation. Some believed that they could sneak into the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. Some believed they were still a year away from being a playoff contender. While others still had this team as a lottery-bound team.

At least through the first few weeks of this season, the Cavs are proving that they have the potential to be more than that. These are no longer the Cavs of yesteryear. This is one of the most talented young rosters in the league. I’m not sure if fading this team is the brightest move.