The best and worst-case scenarios for Cavs in 2022-23 season

Cavs worst-case scenario: Play-in team

Let’s just assume the worst happens here. Last season, the Cavaliers were often plagued with injuries, and were forced to start players that normally they wouldn’t put in the starting lineup. Potentially, that could happen again. Kevin Love has never been known as someone to play all 82 regular season games, and obviously, injuries happen, whether you like it or not. If a major injury happens, then the team will probably struggle and have a worse chance of getting a favorable seed in the playoffs.

Also, let’s assume that Okoro, Mobley, and Allen can’t cover all of Garland’s and Mitchell’s defensive liabilities, and the team really struggles on the other side of the ball. Sure, their offense shouldn’t be a problem, but like the saying goes, defense wins championships, and the Cavs can’t win a chip without having their team be a capable defensive team.

Last, let’s assume Evan Mobley does not take the leap that most people expect he will. Maybe his progression plateaus and he does not become the All-Star talent most think he will be in a few years. If all of these problems occur, then it could be a possibility that Cleveland is in a similar position from last season, in the play-in tournament.

Do I really believe this will happen? No, not really, but you never know what could happen. I doubt a lot of people expected the Brooklyn Nets to be in the play-in last season, considering their star-studded roster at the start of last season, but it happened. Like I said, you never truly know what will happen.

There are many questions that have to remain unanswered until the season starts. How will Garland and Mitchell fit together? Will the spacing be fine with Okoro possibly, Mobley, and Allen? Will Mobley take a leap and become an All-Star in the next few years?

All of these questions can and will be answered soon enough, Cavaliers fans, but until then, we just have to wait.