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Beyond the Toronto Raptors: Previewing an exciting Central Division

By Lee Tanner

SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 24: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks peaks with the media during a press conference after the 2019 NBA Awards Show at the Barker Hangar on June 24, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Will Navarro/NBAE via Getty Images)
SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 24: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks peaks with the media during a press conference after the 2019 NBA Awards Show at the Barker Hangar on June 24, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Will Navarro/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Collin Sexton vs Toronto Raptors (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Cavaliers

Key departures: J.R. Smith, David Nwaba

Key additions: Darius Garland, Kevin Porter Jr.

Cleveland has hit a rough patch since the departure of LeBron James. Just a little over a year ago the Cavaliers were licking their wounds following a Finals 4-0 defeat to the Golden State Warriors. Nevertheless, they were in the Finals and the Cleveland population was given a title the year prior. But now rebuild mode is in full swing following James taking his talents to Los Angeles.

Throughout the 2018-19 season, the Cavaliers completed numerous transactions and signings to build on their picks and find players they want to keep long-term. The traded players such as George Hill, Sam Dekker, and Alec Burks in return for picks and the opportunity to allocate more time to some of their younger players.

There’s no hiding it. The Cavaliers will be tanking again this year. They’ll focus on the development of their younger players with the hopes of seeing some players that they’ll be able to build their future around.

Offensive Outlook

When looking at the Cavaliers offense we can expect shots to shift around quite frequently just as the minutes will. As Cleveland looks to see who they want to keep long-term you can expect them to give everyone a chance.

There’s a good chance that the offense will be run through the back-court of a young Garland and Collin Sexton duo. Fans should also expect Cleveland to bring throw their two rookies into the mix, due to their offensive capabilities and potential, once they’re settled and prove themselves to be reliable options. But overall the Cavs will end as a bottom-five offensive team after not adding any major offensive threats.

Defensive Outlook

Defensively, the Cavaliers will likely remain around the same level. They ended the season with the worst defensive rating last year. Collin Sexton has the chance to be a defensive anchor for the team and that’s asking a lot for a second-year player.

If Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson are on the team and are able to play they may get a bit better but seeing as they didn’t add a major defensive player, they’ve switched head coaches, and they’ll have chemistry issues, to begin with, due to the changing in personnel we really can’t expect much from the Cavaliers.

Projected Record: 17-63

There’s no easy way to say this but the Cavaliers are going to be bad this year. They haven’t assembled enough pieces to jump up into the playoff-contending goal and will remain as a tanking team this year. Where some excitement may come is offensively and the player development of the younger players.