The Cleveland Cavaliers opened training camp on Oct. 2 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, intent on reshaping an offense that faltered in two straight postseason runs. Coach Kenny Atkinson paused on-court work that afternoon, sending players to the facility’s track for conditioning before an impromptu batting practice. Second-year guard Jaylon Tyson dared Donovan Mitchell to pitch to him, and the entire roster crowded the diamond. Mitchell, whose father played minor-league baseball, drilled two home runs—an illustration of the star guard’s wide-ranging skills that Cleveland no longer wants to lean on quite so heavily.
Rebuilding after back-to-back Round-2 exits
Cleveland’s core of Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland has delivered regular-season success but no conference-final appearances. The Cavaliers bowed out in five games to the eventual champion Boston Celtics in 2024, then replaced coach J.B. Bickerstaff with Atkinson. A 64-win campaign and a first-round sweep of the Miami Heat followed, only for Indiana to oust the Cavs in another five-game semifinal last spring while Garland, Mobley and newcomer De’Andre Hunter nursed injuries.
Injuries force early adjustments
Mitchell learned in mid-August that Garland’s offseason toe surgery and Max Strus’ foot fracture would sideline two starters to begin 2025-26. Bench scorer Ty Jerome departed for Memphis in free agency, further thinning the backcourt. The developments prompted Mitchell to cut short his summer break—one that included an engagement to R&B singer Coco Jones—and refocus on distributing responsibilities.
Mobley becomes the focal point
Atkinson and team executives have doubled down on third-year big man Mobley, 24, who earned Defensive Player of the Year, an All-Star berth and his first All-NBA nod last season. His usage rate has climbed to 24.7% from 23.2% a year ago, and he is posting a career-best 4.4 assists per game. “He’s handling the ball even more,” Atkinson said. “You’re going to see an increase in usage again.”
Mitchell, whose playoff usage spiked to 37.2% last spring, has urged Mobley to stay aggressive. “I’m in his ear nonstop,” the guard said. “If I’m not open, it’s you.”
Slow start, big expectations
The Cavaliers opened 4-3—last season they did not lose a third game until Nov. 29—and rank 26th in offensive efficiency while maintaining a top-10 defense. Mitchell accounts for 33.7% of the club’s points, the highest share of his four years in Cleveland, with 81% of his made two-pointers unassisted.
Despite the uneven start, ESPN BET lists Cleveland as the Eastern Conference favorite and third choice for the NBA title, the franchise’s loftiest preseason odds since LeBron James’ 2017-18 exit.
Help on the horizon
Garland, labeled by Atkinson as the team’s “best playmaker,” completed G League conditioning during camp and is nearing his season debut. Newly signed guard Lonzo Ball has already boosted Cleveland to the league’s 10th-fastest pace and recorded at least one steal in five straight appearances.
Team president Kolby Altman believes the strategy hinges on Mobley. “He is serious about taking that leap to being a top-five player in the league,” Altman said. “As he goes, we go.”
The Cavaliers hope that new hierarchy—and a healthier roster—can finally push the franchise beyond the second round next spring.
Source: ESPN
