NBA preview: Central Division

For all transactions, view the Central Division offseason roundup.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Coach: Kenny Atkinson (164-116 in Cleveland).

2025-26: 52-30, swept in Eastern finals by Knicks.

C: Jarrett Allen – made a three-pointer last year, took ten three-pointers last year, cut that out. Superb center who does not pair exceedingly well with his frontcourt partner, but an improved frontcourt partner for Evan Mobley may not be available, let alone exist. Turns 29 during the playoffs, this will be his sixth season with Mobley, maybe everyone eats in 2026-27. Amazing to me that the team that watched its 1990s team crumble with Michael Cage and John Amaechi at center now has too many centers.
PF: Evan Mobley – I understand the limitations ahead of him – tiny All-Star guards pretending to defend the players ahead of them – but the Cavaliers cannot be a No. 15 defensive team in 2026-27. More specifically, Evan Mobley should not be part of another mediocre defensive team in his career. A No. 15 ranking should embarrass him. There are caveats, surely, but the point here should be to make opponents scared of the Cleveland Cavaliers, not determine who gets to shoot the ball the most.