The National Basketball Association is a month away, and it is once again time to preview every NBA franchise. I will be covering the teams in the Eastern Conference and my colleague, Joel Beatton, will feature teams in the Western Conference. Today we are featuring the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Key Acquisition
The most significant acquisition for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the offseason came at the shooting guard position as the franchise signed Max Straus of Hickory Hills, Illinois to a four-year deal worth $63 million. Last season with the Miami Heat, he had 11.5 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game and 2.1 assists per game, a field goal percentage of .410, a three-point percentage of .310, and a free throw percentage of .876. Strus is joining his third NBA franchise as he also played with the Chicago Bulls before the last three seasons in south Florida.
Fantasy Star
Donovan Mitchell of Elmsford, New York is ninth among point guards and seventh among shooting guards. Last season he averaged a career-high 28.3 points per game, 4.4 assists per game, and 1.5 steals per game. Mitchell also had a field goal percentage of .484, three-point percentage of .386, and a free throw percentage of .867.
Predicted Finish
The Cavaliers are a definite contender in the East. Mitchell and Strus are among a strong starting five that includes point guard Darius Garland of Gary, Indiana, and power forward and center Jarett Allen of San Diego, who each hail from San Diego, California. Last season the Cavaliers finished second in the Central Division, seven games back of the division champion Milwaukee Bucks. This season expect Cleveland to be in second again, but for the Cavaliers to close the gap on Milwaukee. A return of 50 wins after 51 wins last year for Cleveland is definitely attainable.
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