Cavs rank 13th in ESPN’s Future Power Rankings

Cavs place fifth in the Eastern Conference.

The Cleveland Cavaliers placed 13th in ESPN’s “future” power rankings, a list that aims to project each NBA team’s success across the next three seasons. Factors such as roster talent, front office management, market appeal, financial wiggle-room and draft capital weighed into each team’s expected success.

Cleveland’s promising core of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen gave them the 8th-best rating in the roster category. But their subpar ratings in management (19), money (22), draft capital (25) and market appeal (26) caused them to fall in the overall rankings.

ESPN’s Kevin Pelton gave this explanation for the Cavs rankings:

“The Cavaliers opted for roster continuity this summer, betting new coach Kenny Atkinson can get more out of this group. If that doesn’t work, Cleveland, with few draft picks and a payroll already in the luxury tax, could choose to trade a core player.”

This feels like a fair assessment. The Cavs have a talented roster with lingering concerns about the fit of their best players. The front office has committed to the core, leaving themselves with few options to build outside of Mitchell, Mobley, Garland and Allen. A lot is riding on the internal development of that group — and the only alternative would be a foundational shaking trade.

So on one hand, the Cavaliers could have three years of immense success if the core leaps from good to great. Or, they could stagnate in the middle and ultimately roll the dice on a major trade sometime in the next three seasons. Either way, placing them at 13th is a reasonable way to split the difference.

The Oklahoma City Thunder (1) and Boston Celtics (2) stand at the top of ESPN’s rankings. Both squads are in prime position for current and long-term success. The New York Knicks (3) and Philadelphia 76ers (4) come in next. The three-year cutoff is important to note as the 76ers are likely staring down the edge of a cliff by the time Joel Embiid and Paul George reach the 2027-28 season — but for now, this ranking is understandable.

Most of ESPN’s power ranking is totally fair. And then... there’s the Golden State Warriors (9).

Listen, I know it’s predictable for a Cavs fan to take issue with the Warriors. But placing them ninth on a power ranking when they finished 10th in their own conference last season? Absurd.

Stephen Curry will be 37 years old in March. Klay Thompson is gone, and Draymond Green is a podcaster. Outside of that legendary core, there isn’t much star power for the franchise to compete with unless Jonathan Kuminga or Brandin Podziemski become All-NBA caliber players. Sure, Golden State has market appeal and financial room but how much does that really matter if you aren’t fielding a roster that can get you out of the Play-In Tournament?

Rant over, go Cavs.