CLEVELAND — The 2022-23 NBA season is approaching. And if the annual general manager survey is any indication, there are no shortage of expectations for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
On Tuesday, NBA.com released the annual survey, in which all 30 of the league's general managers are polled on 50 questions regarding the upcoming season. When it came to the Cavs, they weren't hard to find, with Cleveland topping many categories, including the following:
Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2022-23?
- 1. Evan Mobley, Cleveland – 21%
- T-2. Cade Cunningham, Detroit – 17%
- T-2. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota – 17%
- 4. Zion Williamson, New Orleans – 14%
Which team made the best overall moves this offseason?
- 1. Cleveland Cavaliers – 41%
- T-2. Minnesota Timberwolves – 17%
- T-2. Philadelphia 76ers – 17%
- T-2. Utah Jazz – 17%
Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?
- 1. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland – 59%
- 2. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota – 31%
- 3. Jalen Brunson, New York – 7%
- 4. P.J. Tucker, Philadelphia – 3%
Which team has the most promising young core?
- 1. Cleveland Cavaliers – 41%
- 2. Memphis Grizzlies – 38%
- 3. Detroit Pistons – 10%
Additionally, with 17 percent of the vote, the Cavs tied with the New Orleans Pelicans for second behind the Los Angeles Clippers (41%) for "which team will be most improved in 2021-22?" and their acquisition of Mitchell (43%) trailed the Minnesota Timberwolves' acquisition of Rudy Gobert (47%) for "what was the most surprising move of the offseason?" Based on the poll results, Cleveland was also picked to finish sixth in the Eastern Conference standings, which would qualify the Cavs for their first postseason appearance since LeBron James' free agent departure for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.
Cleveland's strong showing in the GM survey comes after a 2021-22 campaign in which the Cavs finished eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 44-38 record before losing to the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks in the Play-In Tournament. This past offseason, Cleveland bolstered a core that already included All-Stars Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen and unanimous NBA All-Rookie first-team selection Evan Mobley by acquiring Mitchell, a 26-year-old three-time All-Star, in a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz.