3 reasons Cavs fans should be optimistic about the 2022-23 season
By John Suchan
Reason No. 2 to be optimistic: The core of the Cavs team is established
Beyond Garland, and Sexton hopefully returning, you also have big men Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Lauri Markkanen returning. Isaac Okoro and a player like the aforementioned Kevin Love will also help in their role coming off the bench. Other key bench players like Lamar Stevens, Dean Wade, and Cedi Osman will round out a core of talent that will only improve next season.
The team isn’t having to move a lot of pieces to the puzzle at this point. Yes, the team will pick up a player or two in free agency and draft a player or potentially two it appears; we’ll see on the two second-round picks. Currently, the Cavs hold the No. 14 pick in the draft, regarding the first round at least.
But the core is established and that’s a good feeling to have if you’re a fan of the Wine and Gold!
Evan Mobley is ready to show the world that they were wrong in not giving him Rookie of the Year and he will be more motivated. For a rookie, he did everything for this team. Allen will be returning and will dominate more and more. This past season for Allen was inspiring. He took his game to a new level and was a key reason for the team’s success.
The bench play of the team was so strong this past season as well. That should repeat itself next year. Having a starter like Isaac Okoro coming off the bench, especially with his lockdown defense, will be fun to watch, too, if he’s in that role. You pair him with other defenders like Lamar Stevens and Dean Wade and second units of opponents will have nightmares next season. We’d of course have to see how lineups would shake out involving those guys, but they’re all impact defenders when they’re in.