Roster Additions
NBA Draft: Joe Harris and Alex Kirk
Free Agency: LeBron James, James Jones, Mike Miller and Shawn Marion
Trades: Edin Bavcic, Christian Drejer, Brendan Haywood, Ilkan Karaman, Kevin Love, John Lucas III, Erik Murphy, Dwight Powell and Malcolm Thomas
Roster Losses
Free Agency: Luol Deng, Spencer Hawes and C.J. Miles
Trades: Anthony Bennett, Carrick Felix, Alonzo Gee, Scotty Hopson, Jarrett Jack, Sergey Karasev, Tyler Zeller, Andrew Wiggins
Season Overview
LeBron James is back in Cleveland. This is obviously the number one story of the 2014 NBA offseason and will likely control most of the attention in the Eastern Conference as well. The Cleveland Cavaliers have become one of the most fortunate teams in NBA history; they get three #1 overall picks since LeBron left in the “lottery” system. They wasted one of those #1 pick on a complete head-scratcher of a choice in Anthony Bennett. Then, despite the city completely decimating the relationship they had with him and him signing with another team that went on to win the Finals two of the four years he was with them, the King returned to Cleveland.
There is no doubt that the Cavaliers will be insurmountably better than they were since LeBron left for Miami. The issue that the Cavs have is that their ownership and management have shown not only instability, but a repeated course of dysfunction as well. Dan Gilbert is very fortunate LeBron buried the hatchet with him and bailed him out of the terrible Anthony Bennett pick. Conspiracies aside, Gilbert has been bailed out time and again by the NBA and LeBron James. He is not a smart or respectable owner, and despite his humanitarian efforts in my home city of Detroit, I can’t help but feel that the man is the reason these Cavs will fail yet again. He wasted draft picks, alienated a player that gave his team so much, and followed up his return home by hiring one of the lowest caliber coaching signings they could have chosen in David Blatt.
Aside from the obvious issues in the front office, the Cavs will have some growing pains just as LeBron had in 2011 during his first year in Miami. Gilbert catered to any whim that LeBron desired during the 2014 offseason, bringing over Mike Miller, James Jones, and (possibly) Ray Allen -- all LeBron’s “guys”. Aside from these signings, Gilbert made the biggest trade of the offseason when he traded a 2015 first round pick, Anthony Bennett, and Andrew Wiggins for Kevin Love.
Love will add to the already potent offense the Cavs will have with LeBron and Kyrie Irving. The issue I have with the Kevin Love trade is that it doesn’t address the biggest issue that LeBron has had throughout his career -- a quality opposing front court. With LeBron losing weight in the offseason, it was far more important for the Cavs to surround him with strong front court play. While Kevin Love is a nice start, his tendency to go to the perimeter and shoot creates a bit of an issue for LeBron, however.
With teams like the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, and Brooklyn Nets creating very tough front courts, LeBron looks to be stuck with the same problems only with a different team. Kevin Love is a quality offensive player, but his inability to create a strong defensive presence in the paint will cause issues for the Cavs. Varejao will help this issue on the defensive side, but this doesn’t change the fact that when LeBron drives the lane he will be knocked-around and battered. Losing weight could definitely prove problematic for the King as Love likes to stretch to the perimeter, and Varejao holds no offensive threat. This will create double and triple teams in the paint, resulting in wear and tear over the season that LeBron couldn’t handle in Miami last year.
If LeBron left Miami to try and give himself some relief and help offensively and physically, he clearly didn’t help recruit the right guys. Love will help stretch the floor, but his lack of defense and tendency to stretch to the perimeter will create issues for LeBron when he drives the ball. When facing any quality front court, LeBron and the Cavs will stumble. Considering LeBron left Miami for a division that has Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Pau Gasol, David West, Roy Hibbert, Luis Scola, Andre Drummond, Greg Monroe, and Larry Sanders, there’s very little chance this 2014 - 2015 season that the Cleveland Cavaliers get anywhere in the Eastern Conference Playoffs this year.
There is a point to all of this bashing of the Cavs. They will inevitably have a very solid season with LeBron James and Kevin love on the same team. The issue will come during the postseason and, to be fair, this team isn’t really looking to be in a playoff spot race with the low-end Eastern Conference teams. This team is expected to get to the Finals, and if they make some moves it is possible. The issue with this team is the same issue the Miami Heat had in the 2010-2011 and the 2013-2014 seasons. LeBron can take this team pretty far, but he can’t do everything, especially with the style of ball that he likes to play.
Fantasy Watch
The fantasy projections for the Cavs are pretty simple: LEBRON JAMES #1 OVERALL. Anyone who does not take LeBron with their first pick are one of two kinds of people: either the individuals who will get Kevin Durant and surround him with frontcourt talent, or they are individuals that have an irrational hatred of LeBron and want their fantasy team to suffer. LeBron and Kevin Durrant are the only sure-fire players in the 2014-2015 Fantasy season. LeBron does not have injury issues, and with this young Cavs team, expect LeBron to rack up time on the court and also surprise you in certain categories like Assists, Steals, and Defensive Efficiency.
The player who will disappoint the most is Kevin Love. Love will have what Chris Bosh had in Miami, and he will probably see a far more reduced role than he had in Minnesota. Love will not get nearly as many offensive touches as Kyrie Irving and LeBron will. His lack of defensive skills also causes an issue if you need a front court anchor for your team. Love will get the Rebounding and Field Goal Percentage categories, but Defensive Efficiency, Blocks, and Three Point Shooting categories will not be in Love’s favor. Unlike in Minnesota, Love will not have free reign over what he can do offensively, and later in the year teams will expose his lack of defensive prowess. Expect Love to have a Chris Bosh-esque drop off this season as he gets used to his role amongst Irving and LeBron.
Kyrie Irving will be your sleeper this fantasy season for the Cavs. He is definitely the one player that can thrive with LeBron joining the Cavs. He will be able to learn from LeBron about how to be an on-the-court leader, and having LeBron will help him out offensively as well. You will see Irving rise swiftly in the Assists, Offensive Efficiency, and Assist/Turnover categories. His offensive production will be something to look out for as well, but if you have a solid front court and Small Forward position on your team, then Irving is the one player that you will want aside from LeBron on the Cavs this year.
Fantasy MVP: LeBron James
Disappointing Player: Kevin Love
Fantasy Sleeper: Kyrie Irving
2014 - 2015 Season Predictions
Record: 60 - 24
Team MVP - LeBron James
Most Improved Player - Kyrie Irving
Biggest Disappointment - Kevin Love