The Cavaliers are heading into another season with real expectations, and Evan Mobley sits right in the middle of the whole thing. He’s been steady for Cleveland from the start, doing the kind of work that shows up on both ends of the floor, even if he doesn’t always get the loudest praise.
That lack of attention appears to be part of what’s driving him now. Kenny Atkinson thinks Mobley is approaching this season with extra fuel after last year’s recognition never quite matched the impact he had.
“Cavs Kenny Atkinson believes Evan Mobley is coming into this season with a ‘chip on his shoulder’ given the lack of accolades this past season and some of the noise that surrounded him,” Chris Fedor of clevelanddotcom wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Mobley’s production backed up the belief Cleveland has in him. He averaged 18.2 points and 9.0 rebounds per game last season, and he carried that into the playoffs with steady play. Still, the Cavs may have needed more from him if they wanted to get past the Eastern Conference Finals.
Even so, the organization’s confidence in him hasn’t wavered. The Cavs also believe the roster additions around him can help push the team forward, and they see Peyton Watson as a key part of that next step.
“They had the option to trade Evan Mobley - they could have offered him for Jaylen Brown, they could have offered him for Giannis, and I think there’s a decent chance that they could have gotten either of them,” Windhorst said. “They didn’t.
Their belief in Evan Mobley is enormous. And they invested hugely in Peyton Watson.
They are betting that Peyton Watson will be their missing link in their starting lineup; that two-way wing that will elevate them.”
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Meleek Thomas Is Forcing A Cavaliers Camp Battle Already
Meleek Thomas spent Summer League making a convincing case that the Cavaliers may already have a real backcourt decision on their hands. The rookie guard was handled as a lead guard throughout the event and looked comfortable in that role, pairing aggressive scoring with the kind of playmaking Cleveland wanted to see from a young ball-handler. His production stood out immediately, and so did the efficiency behind it.
For a team heading into training camp with preseason minutes up for grabs, Thomas has already added some heat to the competition. The Cavaliers will get a longer look at how his shot creation and passing translate against NBA-level rotations, and that will matter as they sort out who can earn time behind their established pieces. If Summer League was the opening argument, camp and preseason should tell us how seriously Thomas can force the issue. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Added Young Frontcourt Depth With One Real Opportunity Ahead
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Around the league, several undrafted free agents have landed similar chances, with the Spurs bringing in Miles Barnstable and the Nuggets signing Boopie Miller, while other players are angling for opportunities with NBA teams or their G League affiliates after finishing college. For Cleveland, the immediate question is less about the headline and more about who can make the most of one real opening in camp and turn a low-profile invitation into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Donovan Mitchell Just Sent The Cavs A Clear Message
At Cavaliers media day, Donovan Mitchell sounded very much like a player settled in for the long haul. Fresh off his four-year contract extension, the star guard framed the deal as a statement about his commitment to Cleveland and to the city, while also touching on the broader NBA picture around him, including LeBron James heading to Philadelphia and the Cavs addition of Peyton Watson.
Mitchell also pointed to the value of having James Harden through a full training camp, a detail that speaks to how much this group is trying to use every available rep to sharpen its identity. The message from Mitchell was less about looking back and more about what comes next, with Cleveland focused on moving forward and building chemistry before the season begins. [Read more 🡒]