With the 2019-2020 NBA season fast approaching, Our First Draft is providing team previews for all 30 NBA teams. These are intended to inform the reader about important roster changes for all teams, as well as summarizing the outlook of the team ahead. This includes the Vegas Over/Under line, OFD’s recommendation on which side to take, as well as a projected record for the team.
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Conference: Eastern
Wins O/U: 24.5 (Over +105, Under -125)
Last Year’s Record: 19-63
Projected Roster (Projected Starters marked with asterisks): J. Clarkson, M. Dellavedova, D. Garland*, J. Henson, B. Knight, K. Love*, L. Nance Jr., C. Osman*, K. Porter Jr., C. Sexton*, T. Thompson, D. Wade (not Dwayne), D. Windler, A. Zizic
Key Offseason Moves: Drafted D. Garland, D. Windler, K. Porter Jr.
Overall Summary: There’s not much optimism in Cleveland, unless you’re talking about Baker Mayfield and the Browns. New coach John Beilein will inherit a roster that will remind him of his previous gig at Ann Arbor, with key pieces Garland, Osman, Porter Jr, Sexton, Windler, and Zizic all 24 or younger. However, Banana Republic model Kevin Love is the key to this season, If he stays healthy and remains a member of the Cavs, I see Cleveland hitting the over, because he is better than anyone in the dregs of the east besides Bradley Beal. If he it either injured or traded, I would guess that Cleveland will not reach 25 wins. This is going to be one of the most boring teams on the floor, but it may be worth following them just to see how Tristan Thompson embarrasses himself this year.
Verdict: This is a stay-away because of the uncertainty about Love. I don’t believe that other teams see Kevin Love as a positive asset on his current contract – and therefore, it seems unlikely to me at this point that he gets traded. If it happens, it will be in February, and they may have already banked a few wins playing other weak teams in the East. In addition, I am a big fan of Collin Sexton’s game, and I also like Darius Garland coming out of Vanderbilt, as his ability to shoot allows him to be the prototypical modern point guard. My personal prediction is the over, with a record of 26-56.
