With the season officially over and the draft only a few days away, I felt it was time for an offseason thread. 

After being eliminated from the playoffs in the second round for a second consecutive year (in surprising fashion), it’s easy to be down on the team and hope/wish for major changes, but that seems unlikely to happen. 

Looking at the landscape of the NBA, it isn’t hard to see why. As disappointing as the post season was, objectively, the Cavs have more top-end talent than the team that just went 7 games in the championship. In addition, the other top four teams in the East all have significant questions heading into next year: The Celtics (Tatum Achilles), the Pacers (Hali Achilles), the Knicks (New - possibly worse - coach), and Bucks (Dame Achilles) are all set to take a step back, so it’s reasonable to think that with a better shooting performance and healthy luck, they are already the team to beat in the East. In fact, ESPNs power rankings for next year have the Cavs as the top team in the East (fourth overall). 

So be prepared for a blah offseason, where the major moves involve resigning Ty Jerome and maybe Merrill, before going on the hunt for a vet who can contribute. Then likely some marginal trades shuffling role players like Okoro or Wade. In the background, the development of bench players like Porter Jr and Tyson could be vital, and how Tyson plays in the summer league is likely an important storyline. 

In the meantime, the draft is next, and while picks 49 and 58 are nothing to get excited about, quality future depth can still be found there. OKC and Indy combined to have no less than seven rotational players selected after pick 40 in their respective drafts. There are also several prospects who could be interesting late in the draft. Kobe Brea (Kentucky), brings size and elite shooting. Sion James (Duke) brings physicality and athleticism, RJ Luis (St John’s) brings size and a bully ball mentality, and Dink Pate (G-league) brings youth, potential, and mold-ability.