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Two years ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers' weaknesses and flaws were severely exposed by the New York Knicks in the first round of playoffs. The Cavaliers were outmatched and out-game-planned in the seven-game series.
Cleveland's early exit fueled speculation about Donovan Mitchell's future and their core's true ceiling.
The Wine and Gold grew as a team last season, but they still ran into an issue with the Orlando Magic in the first round of the postseason.
The inexperienced Magic roster took the Cavaliers seven games, and it took a monumental second half to come back in the winner to take all the matchup.
However, the 2024-25 Cavaliers have looked like a different team since the season started in October. Cleveland's recent stretch against current and past playoff teams proves that this Cavaliers team is different from those of the past few years.
The Cavaliers played the Knicks last Friday night and proved to be the better team in nearly every aspect of the game.
Cleveland shot 60 percent from the floor, 51 percent from behind the arc, out-rebounded them, scored more points in the paint, and had a defensive rating of 100.1 when the final buzzer sounded.
The Cavs have now one both games against the Knicks this season, each in convincing fasion.
Then, on Wednesday, Cleveland played the Magic in Orlando and absolutely dismantled them on offense and defense.
Orlando only scored 82 points, while Cleveland's biggest lead climbed to 42 at one point. Oh yeah, and the Cavs did this without their All-Star point guard Darius Garland.
This game was a far cry from how their series looked less than a calendar year ago.
Of course, the Cavaliers' roster isn't the same as the ones of the past few seasons, and the Knicks and Magic teams they faced have also seen turnover.
However, the teams' cores have largely stayed the same. This even further proves that this Cleveland roster is a different version of who it was over the last few seasons.
This is a different Cleveland team; every other team, coach, analyst, and of the NBA should see them as such. They should view this Cavaliers team as the genuine Finals contenders they are.
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The 'Active NBA players with the most All-Star selections' quiz
For the first 54 years of Cleveland Cavaliers history, Cavs fans never got to celebrate a 60-win season without LeBron James. But a 127-122 win over the Los Angeles Clippers over the weekend changed that. Led by double-doubles from Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen, Cleveland did what they have all year with balanced production. Six Cavs scored in double figures, while Evan Mobley joined Mitchell and Allen in eclipsing 20 points. Which brings us to today's quiz. Mitchell has been one of the most consistent players in the NBA, and has been for years now. With that being said, how many of the active NBA players to be selected to five or more All-Star games in their career? Good luck! Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!
What could Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies want in a new deal?
New York Rangers prospect could sign and burn a year Peter Baugh: If the New York Rangers sign Gabe Perreault to his entry-level contract and get the sense that he’ll play in the NHL and burn a year of his contract. What could Matthew Knies be looking to get on his next contract? James Mirtle of The Athletic: There are a couple of questions surrounding Toronto Maple Leafs pending RFA Matthew Knies: How much is he going to cost, and will there be an offer sheet? Knies will only be 23 years old next October, and he’s trending towards scoring 30 goals this season. He’s a power forward and one of four players with 25 goals and 150 hits so far this season. A list of players who scored 25 goals but did not having more than 0.8 points per game when only 21 or 22 years old – Cole Caufield, Matt Boldy, Kyle Connor, Nikolaj Ehlers, Filip Forsberg, Alexis Lafreniere, Dawson Mercer, Jake DeBrusk, JJ Peterka, Sam Reinhart, Boone Jenner and Jake Neighbors. Not all are perfect comparables. Knies did only have 35 points and 15 goals last season. The average of the above comps were 4.8 years at a $5.4 million cap hit. If taking the 6.5 cap percentage, that would equate to $6.2 million next year. The players who signed bridge deals averaged 2.2 years and an adjusted $4.1 million cap hit. Tom Wilson may be a comparable, but he didn’t score 25 goals until the season and he’s about to turn 31. Quinton Byfield hasn’t scored 25 goals yet and may be more of a center signed a five-year, $6.25 million cap het. Brock Boeser and Timo Meier signed three or four bridge deals at around 7.25 percent of the cap, which would be a $6.9 million cap hit. Brady Tkachuk is higher up on the scale and he signed a seven-year deal at $8.22 million. A bridge deal may cost in the $5-$6 million range depending on the years. If a long-term deal, Matt Boldy‘s seven-year, $7 million per may be the best comp. Working against Knies would be his 20 percent shooting percent likely isn’t sustainable and he benefits playing with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
Five potential Tyreek Hill landing spots amid latest trade rumors
Tyreek Hill has ignited a fresh wave of speculation about his future with some social media activity, and potential trade suitors have likely taken note. Hill had a series of cryptic posts on X Sunday that led many to believe he could seek a trade. The first hint came when a user posed a question asking if Miami Dolphins fans would be open to trading the star wide receiver. Hill responded with a smiley face emoji. Hill then found another post where a salary cap expert suggested that Hill is a candidate to be traded during the NFL Draft. Hill reposted the prediction with a peace sign emoji. Hill had to have known how those responses would be interpreted. Remember, this is the same player who indicated he would leave the Dolphins after their season ended. While the two sides were said to have smoothed things over, no one would be shocked if Hill were to ask for a trade in the coming weeks. If Hill does want out of Miami, which teams might have an interest in acquiring him? Here are five potential landing spots for the eight-time Pro Bowl selection: Los Angeles Chargers Ladd McConkey had an outstanding rookie season last year with 82 catches, 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns. The former Georgia star looks like a true No. 1 receiver, but the Chargers are not nearly as deep at the wide receiver position as they were in years past. L.A. reacquired Mike Williams in a trade with the New York Jets midway through last season, but the veteran had three or fewer catches in every game. Justin Herbert is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL, and Hill's speed could add an element to the Chargers' offense that would be incredibly difficult to stop. Dallas Cowboys How long can Jerry Jones go without making a huge splash? The Cowboys need to sign Micah Parsons to an extension, but they could find a way to do that and add Hill. What better way to welcome new head coach Brian Schottenheimer than by gifting him with a wide receiver duo of Hill and CeeDee Lamb? Dak Prescott will turn 32 this summer. The quarterback has been banged up in recent years, and his prime will not last forever. You know Jones's eyes are going to light up if Hill wants a change of scenery. New England Patriots The Patriots just signed Stefon Diggs to a four-year, $69M deal, but the contract is a lot more team-friendly than it sounds. New England also still has nearly $70M in salary cap space, according to Spotrac. It can easily afford to take on Hill's $30M salary. If the Patriots want Drake Maye to make a second-year leap, they need to surround him with weapons. A duo of Diggs and Hill would turn New England's wide receiver room from one of the worst in the league to one of the best in a single offseason. Baltimore Ravens The Ravens signed DeAndre Hopkins this offseason, but he is the latest in a long line of past-their-prime wideouts who have landed in Baltimore. At 31, Hill is still playing his best football. Hill and Zay Flowers could do some serious damage in the same offense. The Ravens will always be run-first as long as Derrick Henry is healthy, but Hill is the type of player who could push them over the top. Kansas City Chiefs Hill has been open about the fact that he never wanted to leave Kansas City. He simply wanted a new contract, and the two sides could not reach an agreement. Hill has even left the door open for a return to the Chiefs. The Chiefs have solid receivers in Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice, but the latter is working his way back from a major knee injury. Travis Kelce's best days are also behind him. If Kansas City wants to keep its Super Bowl appearance streak alive, adding Hill would be one way to instantly boost its chances.
Insider Has Promising Financial Update For A Potential Deal Between The Steelers And Aaron Rodgers
Avalanche sign superstar's younger brother to entry-level deal
The Avalanche announced they’ve signed forward Taylor Makar to a one-year entry-level contract for the 2025-26 campaign. The younger brother of Colorado superstar Cale Makar will finish the season on a tryout with AHL Colorado. His contract carries a cap hit of $925K and breaks down to an $832.5K base salary, a $92.5K signing bonus and an $80K minors salary, per PuckPedia. Colorado selected the younger Makar with their seventh-round pick in the 2021 draft. The 6’4″, 209-lb forward was coming off an injury-plagued junior "A" season with the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League at the time, but he was solid when dressed with 19 points in 16 games. The Bandits, of course, are where Cale played his junior hockey before Colorado selected him fourth overall in 2017. Like his older brother, Taylor committed to UMass and jumped to the collegiate ranks after being drafted. The grinder never found much of a role on the squad, though, and recorded 15-7–22 in 85 games before entering the transfer portal following his junior season. After landing with the University of Maine for his senior year, the 24-year-old managed to outproduce his totals with UMass in just 38 games. He finished second on the No. 3 team in the country in scoring, posting 18-12–30 in 38 appearances with a +24 rating. Maine’s season ended last Friday after they were upset by Penn State in the regional semifinals of the national tournament. Makar is a long shot to crack the NHL roster next year, given the weakness of his collegiate resume as a whole, but his senior year breakout is promising as he looks to capture a significant AHL role. He’ll be a restricted free agent in 2026. Colorado now has 30 players under contract for next season.
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