4 teams that had a worse 2021 season than the Toronto Raptors
By Jason Mills
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers, who have not been a playoff team since LeBron James left for Los Angeles in 2018, started 2021 at 3-0. That initial success faded fast, as the Cavs are 19-50 since. They are 13th in the east right behind Toronto and are 1-2 vs. the Raptors this year.
The Cavaliers had an interesting season in that they employed a plethora of bigs at various stages this season, some of which could have helped the Raptors. After the multi-team deal with Brooklyn acquiring James Harden, the Cavs had the services of Jarrett Allen, JaVale McGee, Andre Drummond, and an injured Kevin Love in their frontcourt.
While Drummond was bought out and now plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, McGee was traded to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for center Isaiah Hartenstein, and two future second-round picks at the trade deadline.
Kevin Love showed how bad this year was for the Cavs.
Love remains after signing a monstrous and now atrocious four-year, $120 million contract in 2018. On April 27, Love batted the ball inbounds after the referee passed the ball to him, leading to the Raptors scoring.
It is an unacceptable display of frustration for a veteran of his caliber, but also an indication of the mistake the Cavaliers made in signing him to a long-term deal. Love also more recently went an entire game with zero points and zero-shot attempts.
Love has been injured most of the contract and this season but still has two seasons left on a contract that will pay him over $30 million a year. Love used to be a 20-10 player with his eyes closed. This season, he is averaging only 12.2 points a game. With his health a question mark and the future in flux, not even Collin Sexton and Darius Garland could save the Cavaliers.