What grade would we give the Cleveland Cavaliers long-term outlook

If we gave the Cleveland Cavaliers’ long-term outlook a grade, what grade would they get?

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ long-term outlook is something that is in flux right now. With news that Donovan Mitchell is looking at maybe leaving Cleveland for New York when his contract is up, and lingering complaints about Mitchell’s post-season production, it’s fair to say that the long-term outlook for the Cavs isn’t as high as it might have once been.

The trade cost the team Lauri Markkanen, an All-Star, Collin Sexton, and Ochai Agbaji; not to mention a host of first-round picks. At the time, everyone thought that Mitchell would be the reason the Cavs got over the top, and they still might with him. But after seeing another playoff performance from Mitchell where he just shot a lot of junk, there are those who are concerned that the Cavs actually took a step back with the Mitchell trade.

After all, the Cavs didn’t need Mitchell in 2021-2022, but after the trade, the Cavs do need someone like Markkanen. The team lacks a dynamic three-and-D type who can score from anywhere on the court like Markkanen can. Now the Cavs are looking to the 2023 offseason to hopefully fill that hole that the Cavs created by landing Mitchell.

What grade would we give the Cleveland Cavaliers’ long-term outlook

Right now, I’m not very optimistic about the long-term grade the team could get. Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Mitchell’s combined contracts are going to hinder the team in time, and if the team can’t win with those four as a core, then there’s not much hope.

Without the first-round picks, Markkanen, Sexton, and Ogbaji, the Cavs lack real possibility and potential. The team is now built around just four players, instead of seven or eight as it would’ve been prior to the Mitchell trade.

So if Mitchell does want out, and the Cavs end up trying to trade him, they may get something back but it won’t be near to the level of what they gave up to get him. So that hurts the long-term outlook for the Cavs.

Right now, I’d say the Cavs’ long-term outlook is a C+. The team could quickly fall into salary cap hell, and with the new CBA, that would hinder what the Cavs could do in the offseason going forward. This team isn’t good enough as is to win, so limiting the ways they can further acquire talent is not going to help soothe the concerns that the Cavs may have overplayed their hands with this trade.

• Published on 06/14/2023 at 23:00 PM
• Last updated at 06/14/2023 at 23:00 PM