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For the Cleveland Cavaliers, the worst might still be ahead

Entering Tuesday night's matchup against the Indiana Pacers, the Cleveland Cavaliers have lost nine straight games.

CLEVELAND -- Even when their roster still featured LeBron James, January always seemed to be a time of turbulence for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In 2015, the Cavs fell below .500, overhauling their roster on the fly as James worked his way back from an ailing back. In 2016, the team fired head coach David Blatt, despite laying claim to the best record in the Eastern Conference.

In 2017, Cleveland lost six of eight games down the stretch in January, leading to an epic postgame tirade from James.

"I just hope that we're not satisfied as an organization," James told a group of reporters following a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "I just hope we're not satisfied."

And in January 2018, James' dissatisfaction in Cleveland seemed to reach an all-time high as the Cavs amassed a 6-8 record for the month, enduring multiple blowout losses, a team meeting heard 'round the world and the short-lived Isaiah Thomas era.

All four of those descents, however, came with a comfortable parachute in the form of the reality that as long as James was still on the roster, Cleveland was just months away from representing the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.

But with James having taken his talents to Los Angeles, this year's annual January slump doesn't come with such luxury. Rather, the Cavs now appear to have anvils strapped to their backs.

Credit: Getty Images
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 19: Jordan Clarkson #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes after a loose ball against Michael Kidd-Gilchrist #14 of the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on December 19, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

While the faces on the court -- and sideline -- have changed, Cleveland's New Year's struggles don't only remain -- they've amplified. Entering their matchup with the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night, the Cavs have lost nine consecutive games -- including five consecutive blowouts at home -- en route to laying claim to an NBA-worst 8-32 record.

What's more is that while we're only a week into 2019, Cleveland's forecast isn't clearing up anytime soon.

After hosting the Pacers on Tuesday, the Cavs will embark on a six-game road trip to the West Coast, with four games against teams currently in the playoffs: the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets. According to Tankathon.com, Cleveland possesses the 15th toughest -- and easiest -- schedule for the rest of the season, with its remaining opponents laying claim to a .504 winning percentage.

Of course, it's been months since this Cavs season has been about wins and losses. After beginning the season with six straight losses en route to a 2-14 start to the post-LeBron era, any chance Cleveland had of returning to postseason play was over before Thanksgiving arrived.

A foot injury to Kevin Love didn't help matters and on Monday, the 5-time All-Star revealed he's still at least "weeks" away from an on-court return. The Cavs have also obviously become sellers on the trade market and could see their roster further depleted as the Feb. 7 trade deadline approaches.

Credit: Getty Images
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 21: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on November 21, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Lakers defeated the Cavaliers 109-105. 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)

That's not to say that Cleveland has nothing play for this year -- or month, for that matter. In a season that was supposed to place a heavy emphasis on developing young talent, the team's two most important young pieces -- rookie point guard Collin Sexton and second-year forward Cedi Osman -- have both faced their share of inconsistencies.

Sexton's struggles as of late have been particularly alarming. After overcoming a slow start and enjoying a strong stretch from mid-November to mid-December, the No. 8 overall pick has seemingly regressed, with both his scoring average and field goal percentage having dropped from November to December to January.

Having played 38 games, the Cavs haven't even reached the midway point of the season -- although they're getting close. There's still plenty of time for them to find silver linings to this season, but the sobering reality is that just like previous Januarys in Cleveland, things will likely have to get worse -- if that's even possible -- before they get better.

And without LeBron to come to the rescue, between this season and any of the previous four stop there.

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