New York Knicks: Comparing the potential five worst teams for 2019-20

Cleveland Cavaliers

Matchups

• Sunday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET (Home)
• Monday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET (Home)
• Monday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET (Away)
• Monday, Feb. 3 at 7:00 p.m. ET (Away)

LeBron James‘ departure in July 2018 created an inevitable rebuild for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Pieces around this legendary NBA player were fine complements, but having them lead a team always seemed troubling. As a result, players like Kyle Korver and JR Smith are no longer around. Kevin Love, who signed a pricey extension, still is, but that can change at any point.

Collin Sexton was one of the few bright spots. His development will take years, given some scoring inconsistencies to start and defensive woes, but he still finished the rookie campaign with 16.7 points on 43 percent shooting and 40.2 percent on three-pointers.

Sexton is back for 2019-20, but with few fresh, intriguing pieces around him. Attribute that to the gaudy contracts either entering continuing or entering their final season.

Darius Garland, the No. 5 pick of the draft, is there. His fit is questionable, as he and Sexton play the same position. Perhaps this is an attempt to create Damian Lillard–CJ McCollum 2.0 because both players have point guard size and talented shooting ability. It can work, but Garland has yet to play an NBA game, so the book is out on how long this will take to mesh.

Cedi Osman and Dylan Windler have upside, but not enough to take this Cavs team past the bottom of the NBA.

This group will struggle and for most of the season. They may even be easy fodder for the New York Knicks in November and the middle of the winter. Garland and Sexton are talented and Love, if healthy, can keep this team in a few games, but topping 30 wins would be an upset. Look for Cleveland to return to the top of the lottery.