The Nets are Cavs’ biggest rival for the next 5 years

Where things are headed for Cavs and Nets

What about moving forward? Kevin Durant is under contract long-term for the Nets, but he is also 33 years old and misses significant time due to injury every season now. Ben Simmons is likewise under contract for another three seasons, but he has yet to play a single game for Brooklyn. Kyrie Irving could opt out and become a free agent this summer, so he’s a real wild card.

Behind them, the roster is mostly veteran talent. There are a few exceptions; Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe at center, Kessler Edwards on the wing, Cam Thomas in the backcourt. None of those players look like stars in the making, although you never know for sure. In total this team looks like it has the roster to compete each season if their stars show up, but they don’t boast some hidden growth waiting to stretch towards the sky.

Cleveland is of course another matter. Evan Mobley looks like a future two-way superstar; comparisons to Anthony Davis, Chris Bosh or even Kevin Garnett are no longer far-fetched, even if they do represent the top end of his potential range of outcomes. Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen are 22 and 23 respectively and both made the All-Star team this season. Collin Sexton and Isaac Okoro are both still very young and could still be a part of what the Cavs are building.

There also isn’t a lot of downside risk. Allen may be out now with a fractured finger but that’s just a freak contact injury; otherwise this young core doesn’t boast elevated injury risk, and while growth isn’t linear that should absolutely expect to continue to get better. The veterans on the team are either young themselves (Lauri Markkanen is 24, Dean Wade is 25) or play smaller, complementary roles.

The Nets are ahead of the Cavs right now in terms of championship equity, but the Cavs are closing fast and should only improve year-over-year, while the Nets will be seeking to maintain things around an aging superstar.