The Cleveland Cavaliers were supposed to be the Eastern Conference’s juggernaut again. And with superstar injuries hobbling their rivals Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers, they were a lock to lord it over the East. After a 64–18 masterclass last season, they strutted into this year with swagger and a luxury-tax payroll that screamed “title or bust.” Instead, they are currently seventh in the conference with a 20-16 record. They look like a team searching for its soul and excuses.
Yes, injuries have been brutal. Darius Garland’s toe surgery, Max Strus sidelined, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in and out of the lineup. But let’s not pretend health alone explains this collapse. The Cavs have gone from defensive bullies to bystanders. Last year’s top-tier defense has slipped into mediocrity, and their rotations have been disastrous.
Cleveland’s identity was built on defense anchored by Mobley and Allen but that has deteriorated. Their defensive rating slipped from 8th last season to 14th this year, allowing around 114.1 points per 100 possessions. Without sustained rim protection or consistent rotations, opponents are exploiting mismatches, particularly in transition.
Offense? Even uglier. A team that once rained threes now shoots like they’re aiming for the backboard. From second in the league in three-point percentage to near the bottom. How does that happen? Garland looks tentative, De’Andre Hunter is clanking everything, and the bench spacing is a joke without Strus. Donovan Mitchell is carrying most of the scoring load but one man can’t drag a roster that’s forgotten how to move the ball.
From an elite first-ranked offense in 2024–25, Cleveland has slid to 12th in offensive rating. Their three-point shooting, once a strength, has collapsed from second in the league to 27th. Key shooters like De’Andre Hunter (30%) and Darius Garland (now below 33%) are underperforming.
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And let’s talk chemistry or the lack of it. John Wall called the Garland-Mitchell pairing “discordant,” and he’s right. This backcourt feels more like two solo acts than a duet. Mobley and Allen? Talented, yes, but soft. Where’s the edge? Where’s the fight? This team plays like it expects wins to fall from the sky because last year was easy.
Then there’s head coach Kenny Atkinson. He was hired to bring structure and accountability. Instead, the Cavs look disorganized and uninspired. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said Atkinson had time to fix things but hasn’t. Owner Dan Gilbert isn’t paying luxury tax for boos at home games. If this spiral continues, don’t be shocked if heads roll on the bench and in the locker room.
The truth is Cleveland’s problems aren’t just circumstantial, they’re cultural. This team lost its hunger. Injuries exposed a lack of depth, sure, but they also exposed a lack of grit. The Cavs need urgency, not excuses. They need a major trade now. If Garland and Mitchell can’t coexist, move one. If Mobley and Allen are too soft for playoff wars, package one for a bruiser who can defend and stretch the floor. Standing pat is surrender. This roster needs a jolt, and it won’t come from waiting for Strus to heal.
If they don’t act, this won’t just be a slump but will also prove that last season was a fluke and what was once promising will turn into a nightmare. The Cavaliers are crumbling and nobody on the team has the self-awareness to acknowledge it.