The Cleveland Cavaliers reeled off 15 consecutive wins to start the 2024–25 NBA Season, which is a franchise-best. And all signs point to the Cavs continuing their fine play thanks to a roster full of talented players—including their very own twin towers, do-it-all guards, and sharpshooting playmakers. In short, the Cavs are the kind of team that has contributors up and down the lineup, both in actual games and in fantasy.
And that’s why we’ve broken down this talented lineup for you.
(Check out our earlier NBA Roster Insider Drafts here: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, and Chicago Bulls.)
Your Main Man: Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell’s numbers are down across the board this season, but that’s to be expected given how he plays four minutes less and is getting so much more help from his teammates—from those in the starting five to those coming off the bench.
Even so, the drop-off in production is not necessarily considerable, especially in terms of fantasy play as Mitchell still posting impressive per-game averages of 24.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals. It’s likely those numbers will pick up soon enough as well once the Cavs look to build on their hot start and prove they’re among the Association’s elite squads.
Surefire Studs: Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Didn’t we drum up Evan Mobley’s potential a few weeks ago? Yes, we did!
And Mobley has been proving us right, norming career-best numbers of 17.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 0.9 steals. Given Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson’s fast-paced, free-wheeling offense that encourages the former USC Trojan to do more, particularly on offense, it’s fair to expect the young big to oblige and continue this dream season.
Jarrett Allen, on the other hand, has been superb on defense throughout his career, but he is doing a lot more this season like his frontcourt partner, Mobley. Allen’s 14.4 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 0.9 steals helped the Cavs to a franchise-best start, and with playmakers around him, there’s no reason Allen can’t continue putting up these numbers.
Low Cost, High-Value Picks: Ty Jerome, Caris Levert
Bench production has been a huge reason the Cavs are the Association’s best team so far, and players like Caris Levert and Ty Jerome are leading the way in that regard.
Levert, when healthy, has always been solid, and he is proving it yet again with the Cavs. Routinely Atkinson’s first man off the bench, Levert is putting up 11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.0 steals for the Cavs—invaluable production in actual games and fantasy leagues.
Jerome, on the other hand, has been a feel-good story this season, seemingly coming out of nowhere to be a reliable off-the-bench weapon for the Cavs. His 11.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals are huge contributions to The Land’s efforts to become the NBA’s elite—and to anyone’s fantasy team.
