The Cavaliers had the second-best regular season in franchise history in 2024/25, winning 64 games en route to the No. 1 seed in the East. But injuries — including a toe sprain to Darius Garland — limited the team to some extent in the postseason, and Cleveland lost its second-round series against Indiana in five games.
At his end-of-season media session on Monday, president of basketball operations Koby Altman said that while the Cavaliers were frustrated by their playoff showing, there’s still an “internal belief” that the current roster — particularly the “core four” of Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen — has an opportunity to contend for championships going forward, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
“Obviously, we feel it. It’s raw for us. We’re disappointed how it ended. But it was a remarkable year on so many fronts and you guys were all invested in this. We’re not going to go anywhere. We’re going to keep fighting for that championship and this window is wide open, we believe.”
Here are a few more highlights from Altman’s presser, courtesy of Fedor.
On his confidence in the roster:
“I love our foundation. I love our core. Our starting lineup, the average age is 26.8. We have two All-Stars that are 25 (Garland) and 23 (Mobley), respectively, and they’re going through it, they’re going through these experiences, they’re going through these battles and we’re sustainable in a lot of ways, not just because guys are under contract, but our youth.
“Our belief in this group in a lot of ways, there’s a newness to this group as well in terms of our new head coach that’s been with us for one year. Us figuring out our offensive identity happened this year and so I’m really high on and optimistic about our future. That being said, it can’t just be 82 games. We have to figure out this next 16, we have to figure out how to get over the hump. But this group has shown they can play some of the best basketball in the world. It’s how do we do it on the highest stage and continue to keep pushing to get over that hump?”
On not overreacting to the playoff loss:
“If we were going to be reactionary, it would have been last year after everything that was written about that group, and all the rumors and all this and that and we stood pat and look what happened, right? I think the same thing now as you lean in even more to what we’re building, the culture that we have here, the internal growth, the youth, the sustainability of that.
“I think there’s a championship window that we have here that’s wide open and that’s one that we’re going to try to pursue next year and the year after and the year after and so forth. We’re not done by any stretch. But I would say if there was a time that we were going to crumble it potentially would’ve been last year, certainly not after what we’ve seen from this group this year is something where were we are going to break up a group that’s been together for three years and has accomplished what they’ve accomplished and is ready to take that next step. As disappointing as this ending was.”
On potentially re-signing backup guard Ty Jerome, who finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting:
“Love to keep him. I mean, listen, we’re hopeful. I would say that I got to be careful ‘cause he’s going to be an unrestricted free agent, and he is ours, so we can talk about Ty in that vein. Part of (head coach Kenny Atkinson‘s) system, which is, again, we’re always going to be rooted in player development, which is great. And so when guys find that confidence in this system, their value gets driven up. Same thing with Sam Merrill. You want to call these guys end-of-bench players before that have become real rotational players and valuable within the ecosystem, not just us.
“I think the good news is those guys are going to be, they’re going to do really well for themselves. And the good news also is that we know because of our program, we’re going to be able to continue to develop our end-of-bench guys to become rotational guys. That’s going to be part of our evolution and also how we navigate some stiff penalty taxes. We have to continue to develop from within. And those two stories are incredible success stories from the development programs and putting them in a position to be successful. And so, yes, we’d love to keep Ty, but we’ll see what the marketplace holds.”
Altman said owner Dan Gilbert has given the front office “no restrictions in terms of going into the tax.” He added that Cleveland was willing to be a taxpayer and will operate over the second apron “if we need to go there” — the Cavs project to be over the second apron in 2025/26.
Altman also discussed how the Cavaliers can improve their individual and collective mental toughness, Gilbert’s “support” and “positivity,” why they’re likely to “run it back,” and defended Allen from the criticism he has faced for his poor showing at the end of the Pacers series.
This is where good teams struggle making the move that would take them to the next level because they are comfortable with what they currently have (which is not enough).
I feel really bad for the Cavs, Brabo. They set themselves up for AT LEAST a long conference finals appearance – and then injuries partly besieged (is that a good word to use here?) their quest. It’s like….the Celtics got their chip; the Thunder made the conference finals (they progressed); the Rockets really weren’t expected to advance far – the general consensus was if they ousted the Warriors, they would have met their demise against either the Wolves or the Lakers. And ‘texting’ of the Lakers, the media – as usual – was mostly responsible for hyping up their chances. Conference finals would have been a SIGNIFICANT accomplishment with that roster Pestinka was getting way too much applause over – one of the most overrated executives in the league. But I mean….of all teams eliminated thus far – and likely for the playoff duration – I feel SICK for the Cavs franchise and their fans. They should have been in a long conference finals right about now….at the VERY least. Stinks.
Yeah the east seems pretty open this year and it seemed like the Cavs had everything to at least make the ECF but in my opinion they peaked at the wrong time. I guess thats part of being a young not so experienced team but they got some tough decisions ahead. I dont think this team can win a championship the way it is currently constructed.
Seems problematic, unless they’re pinning the playoff performance almost exclusively on the injuries. If so, I don’t think that they’re being honest with themselves.
The core 4 have now completed 3 seasons together. I believed, and still believe, that CLE was smart to run it back after each of the last two seasons. But doing it again after year 3 should require a little more thought. Altman is too focused on the chronological age of his core 4, and not their further upside (individually, and, more importantly collectively) from here. Of the 4, only Mobley is still ascending as an individual player (the others, while still young, sort of are who they are). The more important group dynamic can always still advance, particularly since Mobley could continue to carve out a more and more prominent role as his game expands. But, still, that’s probably more of a hope, than a reasonable expectation. Particularly since their issues in each of their 3 playoff seasons were similar. I think you have to at least look around.
Loves getting exposed…
Garland’s poor defense will always be an issue. And the choking by Mitchell can’t help their confidence as far as running it back next year.
So they have a green light to spend from Gilbert- but who is available that would clearly make them better?
Maybe Jrue would help.
Jrue would definitely help. The fact that the Cavs had to rely on Ty Jerome when Garland was out was a huge problem. He’s fine for his given role, but he was out of a depth as a ball-handler, can’t put pressure on the rim, and can’t defend. At the very least, Jrue would check two of those boxes. And, of course, he has championship experience for a team looking to get over the hump.
It’s just about making the $$$ work which, needless to say, won’t be easy with what he makes and the remaining years on his contract.
Huge rumors
Paul George and picks could be traded for KD
George and Beal would be on the same team
Big rumors
Paul George and #3 for Lauri Markenen and #5
This team can beat any team in the league in a seven games series. Injuries are the only reason the Cavs aren’t in the Eastern Conference Finals. Three starters and two key reserves playing hurt will kill any team’s chances.
Once players earn a rep it’s hard for them to shake it. Michell has held his own on defense since coming to Cleveland. He also didn’t choke. He already had a calf strain then sprained his ankle in game 4. He had two bad games, one mediocre game and flat carried them in the other seven playoff games he played.
This team can absolutely get better. Mobley is only 23. Garland is 25 and still hasn’t reached his prime. A full season for Hunter to learn his teammates’ tendencies and have a better grasp of the offense and defense would also help.
I would let Jerome walk, he’s going to command more than the $2.5 million he made the prior two seasons. I’d also see if anyone might be interested in Okoro if they attach a second (doubtful) as getting rid of Okoro and Jerome would get them under the 2nd apron. They’re still deep without them, they’d still have Hunter, Wade and Merrill coming off the bench.