14. Cleveland Cavaliers
Through just the first month of the season, it’s already been quite the journey for the Cleveland Cavaliers. But the hope is that they’re just getting started. If the Cavs are going to have any chance of competing in the Eastern Conference, they’re going to need to shake off their inconsistent start to the season. If they’re going to take a step forward, you’d have to think that it’s going to start with Evan Mobley.
Mobley isn’t having that disappointing of a season but he hasn’t taken the big step forward toward stardom that many believed he would be making. He’s essentially mirroring his numbers from last season. That’s all well and good but if the Cavs were going to take a step forward in the East this season, he was always going to be a big part of that.
I don’t think we’ve seen the best of the Cavs this season but if something great doesn’t click for this team soon, I can’t help but wonder how that’s going to alter the team’s belief in continuing to build around Donovan Mitchell who can test free agency after next year.