The Cleveland Cavaliers surprised many fans and analysts alike in the 2024 NBA season, winning 64 games and establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the league. But as we head into the 2025 campaign, the question looming over the Cavs is no longer “how good are they?” — it’s “can they really win it all?”
And here’s the more pressing follow-up: can the Cavaliers win a championship without Evan Mobley becoming a top-10 NBA player?
Let’s break it all down — the roster changes, the health concerns, the development curve, and ultimately, whether this team is built for sustained success… or if 2024 was lightning in a bottle.
A Foundation Built on Mobley — Is It Strong Enough?
Let’s start with the most critical point: Evan Mobley.
If the Cavaliers are going to take that final step from “very good team” to legitimate title contender, Mobley must make the leap into superstardom. There’s no way around it.
Right now, Mobley is a defensive ace with flashes of offensive polish. But flashes aren’t enough. Cleveland needs a two-way anchor — someone who can not only hold down the paint but also become a reliable offensive option in half-court playoff settings. Mobley has to be the guy. Otherwise, they’re depending too much on aging or unreliable pieces to carry the load.
Why Mobley’s Leap Matters More This Year
In previous years, the Cavs had enough “outs” — elite bench shooting, solid guard depth, and a conference that wasn’t quite as competitive at the top. But now, many of those variables are gone or questionable.
Mobley becoming a top-10 player isn’t just a luxury — it’s the plan.
And that’s risky.
Roster Shakeups: Who’s Gone, Who’s In?
Let’s talk about what’s changed — and why these changes matter way more than people seem to realize.
Lost: Ty Jerome, Caris LeVert, and Elite Shooting Depth
Cleveland’s bench was ridiculously efficient last year.
- Ty Jerome: Averaged 12 points per game, nearly a 50/40/90 shooting split.
- Caris LeVert: Solid 10 points per game in 38 appearances with 40% shooting from three.
- Georges Niang: Played 51 games, shot 40% from deep.
These guys mattered. A lot. Cleveland had four guards at any time who could hit pull-up threes with consistency. That depth gave them shooting versatility, matchup flexibility, and injury insurance.
Now? They’re gone.
Added: De’Andre Hunter, Lonzo Ball, and a Lot of Question Marks
Let’s be honest: Lonzo Ball is a huge gamble. If he’s healthy, he’s one of the most impactful defensive guards in the league and a capable playmaker. But he hasn’t been healthy in years. Counting on him to be a key rotation piece — especially in the playoffs — feels like wishful thinking, not sound roster building.
De’Andre Hunter was a solid addition — shot 43% from three in his 27 games with the Cavs — but there’s skepticism around whether last season was his career peak. Historically, Hunter hasn’t been reliable either in terms of production or availability.
So what do you have now? A top-heavy roster dependent on health, internal development, and more than a few “maybes.”
The Unknown Variables: Can These Players Step Up?
If Cleveland is going to stay in the top tier of the Eastern Conference, they’ll need several wild cards to hit.
Craig Porter Jr.
He’s shown flashes. Big games, big stat lines, and real promise. But can he handle a full-time backup guard role across an 82-game season and in the playoffs?
Killian Hayes
A reclamation project at best. He’s struggled with shooting and confidence. If he cracks the rotation, that’s more a sign of Cleveland’s lack of depth than Hayes’ resurgence.
Tyrese Proctor
Talented? Sure. Ready for real NBA minutes on a contending team? We have no idea. That’s not a position you want to be in with your backcourt.
Injuries Are the Elephant in the Room
It’s not just about who’s on the roster — it’s about who can stay on the floor.
- Lonzo Ball: Major injury history. Betting on him to play a full season feels optimistic.
- De’Andre Hunter: Spotty injury track record. Could easily miss a chunk of the season.
- Darius Garland: Played 75 games last season — awesome. But that’s not guaranteed again, and without Ty Jerome and LeVert, the insurance policy is gone.
Injuries are part of the game, but the Cavs are especially vulnerable this year if their key pieces go down.
System Over Talent?
The Cavaliers have a clear identity — and that’s a good thing. They know who they are. That continuity will help them beat up on weaker teams and maintain a strong regular-season record. But when it comes to playoff basketball, identity alone isn’t enough.
In the postseason, it comes down to star power, shot creation, and depth. Right now, Cleveland is:
- Hoping Mobley turns into a superstar.
- Hoping Donovan Mitchell can carry them when needed.
- Hoping their bench, now full of question marks, doesn’t become a liability.
That’s a lot of hope.
Where Do the Cavs Stand in the East?
Let’s get real. Is Cleveland still a top-three team in the East?
Last year, it was:
- OKC
- Boston
- Cleveland
And yet, none of those teams made the NBA Finals. In fact, Cleveland didn’t even make the Conference Finals.
Fast forward to 2025, and here’s the current tier breakdown:
Tier 1:
- OKC
- Boston
Tier 2:
- New York Knicks
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Milwaukee Bucks (depending on health)
Tier 3:
- Orlando Magic
- Atlanta Hawks
- Philadelphia 76ers (depending on their roster moves)
You could argue the Knicks are now ahead of Cleveland. You could even make the case that Orlando or Atlanta could pass them in the regular season — not because they’re more talented, but because of roster continuity, youth development, and health.
The Big Question: Can Cleveland Win Without Mobley Being a Superstar?
Let’s call it what it is.
This entire Cavaliers season hinges on Evan Mobley.
If he becomes a top-10 player, the Cavs can beat anyone. If he doesn’t — if he’s just a “very good” player again — this team doesn’t have enough.
Donovan Mitchell alone can’t carry them. Darius Garland isn’t that guy either. And the supporting cast — especially compared to last year — isn’t built to pick up the slack.
Mobley either takes them to the promised land, or the Cavs are stuck in no-man’s land: good, but not good enough.
Final Thoughts: Are the Cavs Contenders or Pretenders?
The Cleveland Cavaliers are still a good team. They’ll win 50+ games. They’ll be fun to watch. They’ll have nights where everything clicks and it looks like they can beat anyone in the league.
But when it comes to championship contention, this team has more questions than answers.
- Is Mobley ready to lead?
- Can Lonzo stay healthy?
- Can Hunter replicate last season?
- Who’s going to provide bench scoring?
- Is there enough shot creation beyond Mitchell and Garland?
If even a couple of those questions are answered negatively, the Cavs could easily slide back to the middle of the pack in the East.
This isn’t to say it’s all doom and gloom. If Mobley ascends, if the bench figures itself out, and if Lonzo shocks the world with a healthy return — then yes, Cleveland is in the conversation.
But right now?
They’re just another really good team in a wide-open East.
