Fansided

NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Every team’s best case scenario

By John Hugar

SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
13 of 31
Next
CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 08: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up before Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 08: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up before Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Cavaliers

Welp, I had to put them somewhere. The Cavs are certainly in a much better place than they were the last time they left town, but it’s still hard to say exactly how much noise they’ll be able to make this season. With Kevin Love returning to his role as a number one option, we’re left to wonder if he’ll go back to putting up 26-13 like he did in Minnesota. But while those box scores were alluring, Love’s Wolves teams never won much. If Love can match his pre-Cavs production while also picking up some leadership skills from his time with James, this could be the best season of his career.

Elsewhere, lottery pick Collin Sexton is massively intriguing. Presumptive starting point guard George Hill has fallen off lately, and Sexton will likely push him for the job, especially if he plays well early on. Rodney Hood fell out of the rotation and was brought back on a prove-it deal, hoping to regain the groove of his Utah days.

Love is a former All-Star, and likely a future Hall-of-Famer, which is why I’d be reluctant to count out this team. In their ideal scenario, the team unites around a rejuvenated Love, while getting solid production their unheralded supporting cast. A playoff appearance is not out of the question, and it would finally give the Cavs an identity outside of LeBron James.