Year in Review: 5 key moments that changed the Cavs in 2021

The Cleveland Cavaliers have had a roller coaster of a year. Last season they had a catastrophic finish to the season, with unending injuries across the roster rendering a bad team even worse; the Cavs went 19-48 from January 1st through the end of the season.

Things have turned up from there. A strong offseason of moves set them up for success this year, and the Cavs have gone 20-15 with one final game on New Year’s Eve to go. That combines for a subpar 39-62 mark for the year, but certainly one ending on a high note.

The Cavs have built a team on the rise from a low starting point. What key moments from 2021 brought them to this exciting place?

As the calendar turns from 2021 to 2022, as a planet we hope for less COVID-19 and more happy moments. Fans of the Cavs can surely look ahead to a lot of joy and excitement given the trajectory of the current team. But before we look ahead, let’s take a moment to look back.

What were the key moments from the past 12 months that have brought the Cavs to this moment? Many things happened before 2021 (drafting Darius Garland, elevating J.B. Bickerstaff to head coach) but plenty happened this year to propel the rebuild forward. Let’s look at the 5 key moments that changed the Cavs in 2021, starting with a surprise inclusion in a blockbuster trade.