Cleveland Cavaliers Bold 2025 Offseason Guide

The Cleveland Cavaliers lost their second series to the Indiana Pacers. This second-round exit is hugely disappointing for a team that won 64 regular season games and appeared to be genuine championship contenders. Falling in a gentleman’s sweep, the Cavaliers looked completely outmatched during this series. Cleveland did face some injuries during this series. However, the Indiana Pacers were the better team. Now that the season has come to an end, the Cavaliers must navigate what’s next and how they get over the hump for seasons to come.

Cavaliers Dominate the Regular Season

The Cleveland Cavaliers won their first 15 games of the regular season. Cleveland completely dominated the competition, with multiple double-digit win streaks. They claimed the No. 1 seed in the East and held onto it throughout the season. The Cavaliers had the NBA’s best offense during the 2024-25 season and a top 10 defense to pair with it. Along with that dominant regular season, they had three All-Stars in Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Darius Garland.

2025 NBA Playoffs For the Cleveland Cavaliers

In the first round, the Cavs took care of business like many thought they would. Sweeping the Miami Heat 4-0 and with multiple double-digit wins in that series, they continued to look like genuine contenders, despite losing Garland to a turf toe injury that sidelined him in games 3 and 4. They won those games by 37 and 55 points, respectively.

The struggles began in the second round when Cleveland faced the Indiana Pacers. Garland’s injury lingered into games 1 and 2, leaving Cleveland shorthanded against the Pacers. After losing game 1, Cleveland lost games 2 and 3 and faced more injury concerns. Mobley, Garland, and De’Andre Hunter were all sidelined in Game 2. At one point, holding a 22-point lead, the Cavs lost the game. The Cleveland Cavaliers won only one game during this series and looked outmatched.

Offseason Moves

Cavaliers fans must feel very discouraged, as many had expected this team to at least reach the Eastern Conference Finals. Many will now question whether a major shake-up is warranted with this roster. The answer to that question is no. They should not do a complete overhaul. Many expect the core four of Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, and Jarrett Allen to remain. However, any moves made must be centered around the core four starters. They must add to the margins to enhance their physical and mental toughness.

Whether or not the Cleveland Cavaliers want to admit it, the small two-guard lineup consistently presents problems. Pressuring the two smaller guards has been the opponent’s method of success when facing the Cavs. The Pacers pressured the ball handlers full court and put their wings on them to make them uncomfortable. Ty Jerome, the third guard off the bench, may not be back next season. He is entering the final year of his current deal. Cleveland may need to add another ball handler who is bigger and not a defensive liability.

Free Agency and Trades

The Cleveland Cavaliers are unlikely to make a significant splash this offseason, but their primary focus is on adding around their current starters. Cleveland should first focus on adding a third big man who will lighten the load for Allen and Mobley. They need a big man who can rebound, defend, and occasionally hit threes. Next should be another ball handler who can excel on defense and, most importantly, handle the ball, allowing Mitchell and Garland to not always have ball-handling duties in crunch time. Finally, another three and D-wing.

One ideal free-agent player would be Ben Simmons, who could solve many problems for this team. He brings wing depth, ball handling, size, and defense. Another player like Dorian Finney-Smith, who brings you the three-and-D play. Then, finally, players like Alex Len, Al Horford, Moritz Wagner, and DeAndre Jordan.

Conclusion

Signing a combination of players like these would bring physical and mental toughness to this young and growing team. The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the middle of growing pains. Since 2021, this team has grown from its initial start. In the first year, they made it to the play-in tournament. They then advanced to the playoffs and lost in the first round, and last season, reached the second round, falling to the world champion Boston Celtics. This season’s playoff exit was disappointing; however, with the right adjustments and proper development, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be a championship team again.