Cleveland Cavaliers: 7 Bold Predictions for the 2017-18 Season

Most sports authors write bold predictions before the season starts. Where’s the fun in that? Then Gordon Hayward happens. I’d rather do it after we’ve seen a bit of the future to come. So here they are.

This is a realistic season outlook. What do the Cleveland Cavaliers have in store for the 2017-18 season? Read on to find out.

Prediction #1: The Cavaliers will trade some combination of Shumpert, Osman, Zizic, Frye, and the 2018 or 2021 Cavaliers first-round pick before 2018.

Now I don’t think they are going to get Eric Bledsoe. Having Bledsoe, Thomas, Rose, JR Smith, and Wade is just too much. But, I do think they will make a play for a $20M man at some point. And whether they need to give up a “young, promising player” like Osman or Zizic will be determined. And the picks are really between the late 20s 2018 Cavs pick or the Cavs 2021 pick. DeMarcus Cousins anyone? Please?

Prediction #2: The Cavs won’t win 55 games, but will still win the East.

I’m not saying that the Cavaliers are great. Winning the East is as much a testament to how quality the Eastern teams as it is to how quality the Cavaliers are. The Orlando Magic are 3-1 and the Brooklyn Nets are 3-2. That’s not sustainable. The Wizards, Raptors, Bucks, and Celtics are just not good enough to hang. The Cavs will clinch early and coast into the playoffs, losing a lot late in the season as they mess around with rotations.

Prediction #3: Jeff Green will play more minutes than Dwayne Wade and Derrick Rose.

Jeff Green, as I wrote recently, is just a beast. He’s so underrated. Anyone who has watched a game so far sees how well Green plays with LeBron. He’s like LeBron’s less skilled clone. They are about the same age, and Green is hungry to help. He went from being a $15M man to a $2M man (similar to Rose). But Green is durable, reliable, and consistent. He might end up being the 7th guy in the rotation because Rose will taper off when Thomas returns and Wade’s role on the bench will limit his minutes.

Prediction #4: The Cavs crunch-time lineup will be: LeBron, Thomas, Wade, Crowder, and Love.

I don’t know if this a particularly bold prediction, but the Cavs now have many late-game options with Wade and Thomas. Having Love out there from a corner-3 and free throw perspective is important, and I could see the Cavs going with Korver over Crowder in some situations, but this lineup is the best bang for the buck. Sorry JR Smith, but your days are numbered in clutch time.

Prediction #5: When Isaiah Thomas returns to the starting lineup, so will Dwayne Wade.

JR Smith has not played well without Kyrie Irving. I’d share the metadata with you, but it’s boring. Trust me. For whatever reason, Smith relied heavily on Irving, and now that Irving’s gone, Smith is a mess. Because Thomas can shoot the three a lot better than Rose can, Wade will return to the starting lineup when Thomas returns, slotting Smith back into a 6th-man role where he thrived in New York and Denver.

Prediction #6: Tristan Thompson will average less than 15 minutes per game for the season.

This prediction is predicated on the Cavaliers bringing in a scoring big man rim protector from prediction #1, but it also aligns with the 2018 NBA: Thompson isn’t going to be on the court a lot. Unless Tristan finds a three-point shot between now and Christmas, the Cavs will use him in bully ball, matchups, and defense-for-offense substitutions, but not much else. His value added, now that the Cavs have Green, Crowder, and are deeper with Rose and Wade, is just not as high as it was when the 8th and 9th guys off the bench were not playable.

Must Read: 3 stats that will define their odds against Golden State

Prediction #7: The Cleveland Cavaliers will win the NBA Championship…against the San Antonio Spurs.

In a rematch of the 2007 NBA Finals, the Cavs will beat the Spurs, not the Warriors, in the Finals. The Cavs will win in 6 games, at home, and LeBron will have his second parade in downtown Cleveland. The reason is that the Rockets, Thunder, and Timberwolves are going to beat up the Warriors because they are a finesse team. The Spurs are not, and they will survive the Game of Zones to win the Western Conference, only to run out of gas in the Finals like the Cavaliers did in 2015.