{"id":156480,"date":"2025-09-09T00:24:16","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T04:24:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=156480"},"modified":"2025-10-12T19:02:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-12T23:02:23","slug":"3-burning-questions-cavs-2025-26-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/09\/09\/3-burning-questions-cavs-2025-26-season\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Burning Questions For Cavs Heading Into 2025-26 Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming into 2025-26 as one of the hotter teams.<\/p>\n

Of course, they’ve been on everyone’s minds for the better part of two decades thanks to LeBron James<\/a>. However, even with James now suiting up for the Los Angeles Lakers, they have big name players. In a league that’s absolutely fascinated by offense, they have elite scorers. Despite the league moving away from dogged defense, they also have high-quality players at that end. Last but not least, they won 64 games in 2024-25, the second-most games in franchise history.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, given the state of the Cavs franchise, they face three burning questions ahead of next season.<\/p>\n

3 Burning Questions For Cavs Heading Into 2025-26 Season<\/h2>\n

Has Donovan Mitchell Peaked?<\/h3>\n

It’s difficult to determine exactly where Donovan Mitchell<\/a> is on his career path. At 29 years old, he’s presumably still in his prime, but he’s close to being on the wrong side of 30. His numbers reflect that juxtaposition, with Mitchell averaging a career-high 28.3 points per game two seasons ago versus 24.0 points per game in 2024-25.<\/p>\n

Given Mitchell’s desire to see backcourt mate Darius Garland<\/a> evolve, that camaraderie initially seemed like the reason for this decline. Yet, last season Garland also averaged fewer points per game (20.6) than he did in 2022-23 (21.6).<\/p>\n

Amid a Defensive Player of the Year campaign, Evan Mobley<\/a> did average a career-high 18.5 points per game. This was +2.6 points per game more than he did in 2022-23. However, it still doesn’t explain why Mitchell and Garland’s production dropped by a combined +5.3 points per game.<\/p>\n

\"The
Jan 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and guard Darius Garland (10) celebrate after Mitchell made a three point basket during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Maybe the answer is as simple as Ty Jerome<\/a> averaging a career-high 12.5 points per game in 2024-25. Yet, coaches aren’t in the habit of taking the ball of their star scorer’s hands to put it in the sixth man’s. If Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson decided that gave Cleveland the best chance to win, either he or Mitchell needs to be out of town.<\/p>\n

All of that being said, Mitchell tweeting #LetEmKnow every day is a nice way to build up his Cavs support base. However, what those fans really need to know is he’s ready to go all in<\/a>, not just recite team slogans. But, hey, maybe he’s just peaked.<\/p>\n

What’s De’Andre Hunter’s Role?<\/h3>\n

Prior to the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Cavs demonstrated their commitment to making a title run by trading for De’Andre Hunter<\/a>. When the deal was made, Hunter was in the midst of a breakthrough season, averaging 19.0 points per game with the Atlanta Hawks. However, Hunter averaged 14.0 points per game in regular season post-trade, and 11.0 points per game in the postseason.<\/p>\n

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De\u2019Andre Hunter\u2019s Midrange game is DANGEROUS. pic.twitter.com\/fn8tcgYGc3<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mack Perry (@DevaronPerry) August 17, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n