In a radio interview with ESPN Cleveland, NBA analyst Brian Windhorst said he doubts the Cavs deal any of their core four members during the 2024-25 season. Heading into this past offseason, there were rumors galore about the future of the Cavs core, but in the midst of the team’s 21-4 start, those rumors have settled.
NBA Analyst Doubts Cavs Make Big Changes This Season
New Coach, New Ideas
During the interview talking about if Cleveland may make moves, Windhorst stated,
“I would doubt that. I think the Cavs kept the core four together for two reasons. One, I think Kenny Atkinson presented a plan where he thought he could get more out of them and it’s been working. Also because there wasn’t an attractive trade that was out there… it made more sense, it was better strategy to try them with a new coach and work with a new idea.”
Atkinson’s new idea certainly seems to be working. Despite the loss in their last game on Sunday in Miami, the Cavs boast the best record in the league while leading the NBA in nearly every offensive metric. The team is no longer reliant on Donovan Mitchell to explode for 30-40 points every night. Cleveland can now beat you in a ton of different ways with anyone being the leader on any given night. It took until the 19th game of the season for the Cavs to have the same player lead them in scoring in consecutive games, when Mitchell did so against the Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks at the back end of November.
Cavs Trade Rumors?
“Part of it is what we have now, is better than what we could trade for.” Windhorst explained.
Jarrett Allen was the main player involved in Cavs trade rumors during the summer. The big man was linked to the New Orleans Pelicans on several occasions. However, a trade never materialized and was seemingly the best course of action for the Cavs.
Putting It All Together
A trade never made sense for the Cavs core four. Mitchell is the oldest player at 28, while Darius Garland and Evan Mobley are both still under 25. Breaking up such a young team with immense potential would have been a major mistake for by the Cleveland front office. Despite the potential of the roster, the Cavs have yet to win anything with this core. But, holding the best record in the NBA in their third season together is certainly the right trajectory.
Additionally, Mobley has begun his expected ascent into one of the best young players in the league. Mobley picked up an ankle injury in Miami Sunday, however, he entered that game following a 41-point performance against the Charlotte Hornets where he notched a career-high six triples.
The Last Word
Though the Cavs have not won at a high level yet with this team, the core has committed their future to Cleveland. Mitchell, Mobley, and Allen all signed new extensions this past offseason to keep them in Cleveland for the long term. A deep playoff run would not only cement the Cavs as contenders now, but also for the foreseeable future.
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