NBA Executive Says Cavaliers Must Reach Next Season’s Finals or Face Rebuild
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Cleveland, Ohio — An unnamed league executive believes the Cleveland Cavaliers should consider a full-scale roster overhaul if the team fails to claim the Eastern Conference crown next season, when two of the conference’s top stars are expected to be sidelined.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton has already been ruled out for the 2024-25 campaign, and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum could also miss the entire year, according to the executive. With those absences, he views Cleveland as the clear favorite to reach the NBA Finals.
“If they can’t win the East while Tyrese and Tatum are out, just blow up the roster,” the executive said. “Next season is do-or-die for this core.”
The current core’s track record
The Cavaliers—powered by Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland—finished last season as the East’s No. 1 seed. They swept the Miami Heat in the first round but fell to the Pacers in five games in the conference semifinals.
The same core has not advanced beyond the second round since being assembled. Failure to capitalize on the weakened conference could prompt president of basketball operations Koby Altman and owner Dan Gilbert to consider major moves, the executive added.
Possible trade pieces
According to the executive, Mitchell and Allen would command “a huge haul,” while Mobley could become the centerpiece of a long-term rebuild. Garland, he said, would likely bring back expiring contracts.
Imagem: Getty via hoopswire.com
Off-season activity
Cleveland has already reshaped the fringes of the roster this summer:
- Traded Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls for Lonzo Ball
- Re-signed sharpshooter Sam Merrill
- Brought back forward Larry Nance Jr.
- Guard Ty Jerome departed for the Memphis Grizzlies
With Haliburton and Tatum potentially out until 2025-26, the executive insists there is no clearer path for Cleveland to reach the Finals. “There are no excuses,” he said. “If they don’t win the East next season, blow it up and start over.”
Source: Hoops Wire
