NBA: 14 Unpopular and bold predictions for the upcoming 2023-24 season

The Cleveland Cavaliers will take a step back

After making the bold move to trade for Donovan Mitchell last offseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers surprisingly finished as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference last season. Even though they lost in the first round to the New York Knicks, the overwhelming thought heading into this season is that the Cavs are expected to take a step forward. At the very least, many expect the Cavs to finish near the top of the regular-season standings in the East. In fact, ESPN has predicted them to finish as the 3-seed.

However, I predict that the Cavs are going to take a step back in the East. Instead of finishing as the 3-seed, I predict Cleveland is going to finish as a 5-7 seed. It’s not that I don’t believe in their talent, I just think last season the Cavs jumped a couple of steps too many in their progression. Part of that was the acquisition of Mitchell and the other part was a vastly inconsistent East.

I believe the East will be better as a whole this year and that the Cavs aren’t ready to compete at the same time. I simply don’t believe the Cavs are as close to breaking out as an East contender as some people think. And that’s going to be evident this season.