NBA midseason grades: Central Division

With more than half the NBA having reached the halfway point of their seasons, it’s high time we assess how teams are traveling in relation to their internal expectations. To that end, these grades are relative: The Milwaukee Bucks have a better record than the Utah Jazz, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will receive a higher grade.

We’ve covered the Northwest, Atlantic and Pacific divisions. We now head to the Central. 

Chicago Bulls (19-22): D+

The Bulls are the Nickelback of the NBA, doggedly sticking to the middle of the road at all costs. It’s no shock that the side inherited that title from the Orlando Magic after trading for former Magic center Nikola Vucevic. At last, if reports are to be believed, the Bulls finally look ready to tear it all down and rebuild from the stumps up. Not before time, Chicago. Not before time.

Armed with a bevy of expiring contracts, including valuable pieces like Vucevic, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu and Kevin Huerter, Bulls vice president Arturas Karnisovas could recoup a solid amount of draft capital and/or younger assets, which will help kickstart the overdue rebuild.

Cleveland Cavaliers (24-19): C+

The Cavs continue to coast through the regular season, losing games they should rightfully dominate, while occasionally turning it on and blitzing well-credentialed opponents.

After winning 64 games last season, Cleveland is on course for just 46 this time around. You could make the argument that they are saving themselves for a postseason tilt, but that is a switch-flip that should be reserved for teams who have made repeated deep playoff runs. This era of Cavaliers has a first-round and a pair of second-round exits to their name. They’re far from a proven commodity.

The core four — Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen — haven’t played together all that much, but with all now healthy, the Cavs will need to go on a run to build up some confidence in their fanbase. And possibly themselves.

Detroit Pistons (29-10): A+

The East-leading Pistons have gone back to the future, duplicating the model that helped the club win championships in 2004 and the late 1980’s: stout defense and brilliant point-guard play.

Cade Cunningham has silenced every doubter as to his worth as a first overall pick. Now in year five, Cunningham has improved upon last season, when he garnered MVP votes, posting 26.2 points, 9.8 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals. His playmaking and rim pressure drive Detroit’s attack. Jalen Duren is an able lieutenant, the 22-year-old a favorite for Most Improved Player, averaging 17.8 points, 10.9 boards and close to a steal and block per game. His self-creation has leapt off the page.