The Cleveland Cavaliers enter the 2024-25 season with optimism and ambition, building on the progress of their last two campaigns. After back-to-back fourth-place finishes in the Eastern Conference and a 48-win season, the Cavaliers have made it clear that they are betting on their young core to take the next step. With Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen locked into long-term deals, the franchise is poised to compete with the top teams in the East.
Despite its regular-season success, Cleveland’s playoff exits have left questions about whether it can break through. The Cavaliers’ projected win total on DraftKings Sportsbook is 48.5 games, with odds of -115 for the over and -105 for the under, reflecting the market’s expectation for Cleveland to remain competitive in the conference. But can the Cavaliers exceed those expectations and emerge as a legitimate contender?
The Cavaliers’ front office, led by President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman, is confident in the team’s direction. Rather than shake up the roster, the team extended Mitchell (three years, $150.3 million), Mobley (five years, $224.2 million), and Allen (three years, $90.7 million) this offseason. Garland, already under a five-year, $197.2 million contract, rounds out the core four.
Altman believes in the chemistry and potential of this group. “The easy thing is to break it up, but there’s way more evidence that speaks to success than not,” Altman said during a media availability. His faith is shared by the players, particularly Mitchell, who emphasized the team’s potential to contend if healthy.
“We’re championship contenders when we’re healthy,” Mitchell said. “Last year, we grew in a lot of ways. Now it’s about how we implement that over 82 games and then the final 16 wins in the playoffs. We haven’t done anything yet, and we need to go out and prove it.”
Depth and Evan Mobley’s Development
The Cavaliers have the foundation for a successful regular season, but several factors will determine if they can take the next step and win over 48.5 games, as projected on DraftKings Sportsbook. First and foremost is the team’s health. Cleveland was hampered by injuries to key players last season, most notably Garland and Mobley, which affected their rhythm. New head coach Kenny Atkinson knows the importance of keeping his team on the court and will lean on the team’s depth to keep players fresh. “I want to celebrate our depth,” Atkinson said, adding that he plans to use a 10- or 11-man rotation.
Another crucial factor is Evan Mobley’s offensive development. Already one of the league’s elite defenders, Mobley must become more consistent on the offensive end to help balance the Cavaliers’ attack. Last season, he averaged 15.7 points per game and showed improvement from three-point range (37.3%), but he needs to be a more assertive scoring threat to alleviate pressure on Mitchell and Garland.
Atkinson is confident that Mobley’s growth will come. “The offensive improvement is important, and we’re going to do some things structurally to help him take the next step,” the coach said. If Mobley can become a reliable shooter and offensive focal point, the Cavaliers’ spacing and overall offensive efficiency will improve, addressing a key area of concern from last season.
Odds and Expectations
Cleveland’s over/under for Eastern Conference seeding is set at 5.5 on DraftKings Sportsbook, with odds of +105 to finish above that mark and -125 to finish below. The Cavaliers are projected to hover around the fifth or sixth seed, a spot they’ve occupied the past two seasons. But for Cleveland to leap into the conference’s elite and challenge teams like the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, Mobley’s offensive emergence and Garland’s return to All-Star form are essential.
While Cleveland is not viewed as a top-tier championship favorite, it is still a dark horse. The Cavaliers are +6000 to win the NBA title on DraftKings Sportsbook, ranking 15th in the league. That’s a long shot, but with continued growth from their young core and a strong regular season, they could outperform expectations.
Atkinson’s Role in Elevating the Cavs
The most significant change for Cleveland this offseason came with the hiring of Atkinson, who replaces J.B. Bickerstaff as head coach. Atkinson is known for his player development track record, particularly from his time with the Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriors, and will be tasked with solving the offensive issues that plagued Cleveland last season.
Atkinson’s system is expected to provide more fluidity and motion, helping Mitchell and Garland coexist better on the floor and unlocking Mobley’s potential. Cleveland ranked 18th in offensive efficiency last season, and that must improve for them to be a serious contender in the playoffs.
Beyond the offense, Atkinson emphasized the importance of regular-season preparation for playoff matchups. “Building our details to adjust to matchups is going to be key,” Atkinson said. With the right development and game planning, Cleveland hopes to make a deeper postseason run.
Can Cleveland Surpass Expectations?
The Cavaliers have all the pieces to exceed the 48.5 win total set on DraftKings Sportsbook. Their young core, coupled with Atkinson’s fresh perspective and developmental track record, provides reason for optimism. Mitchell remains confident in the team’s trajectory, but as he stated, “We haven’t done anything yet. We have to prove it on a daily basis.”
If the Cavs can stay healthy and get significant offensive contributions from Mobley, they could exceed 50 wins and contend for a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference. However, challenges remain, and it must prove their ability to not only succeed in the regular season but also advance deeper into the playoffs.
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