Despite their second-round exit in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers will enter next season as the favorites in the Eastern Conference.
Kenny Atkinson’s team is a genuine championship contender. The addition of Lonzo Ball should help plug some of the gaps from last year’s rotation, assuming he stays healthy. Furthermore, the Eastern Conference is wide open, giving the Cavaliers a clear run in the postseason, with only the New York Knicks as a legitimate threat.
During a recent appearance on ESPN Cleveland, NBA Insider Brian Windhorst noted how the Cavaliers are building toward a five-year contention window.
“The Cavs are making maneuvers to open up a five-year run here,” Windhorst said. “Don’t hold me to five, but they’re trying to make a run with this group… They believe this is a championship roster. I believe this team has the core of a championship roster. There’s a few things they need to improve on, but I think what they’re doing is they’re trying to set a four or five-year window here where they can go for it”
Windhorst continued.
“… The hard part now for [Koby Altman] is going to be keeping this team together and making the fine-tuning moves to win the whole thing.”
If the Cavaliers can continue building out their supporting cast, and Altman can keep the core together, Cleveland could be a legitimate contender for the foreseeable future.
Donovan Mitchell Wants More From Evan Mobley
During a recent interview with Bleacher Reportâs Taylor Rooks, Donovan Mitchell explained what Evan Mobley must do to reach the next level in his development.
âMy push to Ev is that I need 20 shots. But he has to go and say that, like âGive me the ballâ, like being able to demand,â Mitchell said. âFor us to be great, he has to continue to take a stepâ¦So I tell him like âNah, we need moreâ. Demand it. If I donât pass you the ball, get on my a**. If DG donât give you the ball, get on his a**. If Ty donât give it to you, get on his a***. And be okay with that..Heâs ready for it, heâs excited for it.â
Mobley has genuine superstar upside. If he reaches his full potential, he could be a top-5 or top-10 player in the NBA. Mitchell will undoubtedly want him to reach his potential, as that would give the All-Star guard a stronger chance of adding multiple championships to his career resume.
Mitchell to Bounce Back From Cavaliers Playoff Loss
During the Cavaliersâ second game of the Las Vegas Summer League, Donovan Mitchell joined the broadcast. He explained how he’s looking to bounce back from the team’s second-round elimination at the hands of the Indiana Pacers.
âWhen youâre in hindsight, itâs always like, âokay, weâve taken a step. You need this to take it to the next level,â Mitchell stated. âBut, to be honest with you, and I think we all feel this way, it was a letdown for us, man. We let ourselves down, we let the city down. And, we let the organization down. We all felt it⦠Everything lined up for us to do that, and we didnât take care of business. So, thatâs the failure on our part. So, now the biggest thing is, take it, use it as fuel.â
Atkinson’s team must at least make the NBA Finals next season. Only then will they be showing the type of growth that can convince everyone they’re capable of raising a banner. Altman has pieced together a solid team; they’ve had years of developing together.
Now, it’s time for the Cavaliers to prove they can maximize on the window the front office is creating. If last season is anything to go by, they’re not far away, at all.
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