The Athletic also has the Cavs 9th in the East and 17th overall.
17. Cleveland Cavaliers
Major additions: Ricky Rubio (free agent), Robin Lopez (free agent), Ochai Agbaji (draft), Raul Neto (free agent)
Major subtractions: Rajon Rondo (free agent), Ed Davis (free agent)
Did this team get better? They did, and we should probably expect Collin Sexton’s deal to get done sooner rather than later. Hopefully he can give a healthy campaign to this Cleveland Cavaliers team that took a big step forward last season. The Cavs fizzled out with the injuries, but they zigged when others zagged by competing with huge lineups in the modern NBA. Bringing Rubio back (assuming he’s healthy from the ACL) is an upgrade. Lopez is good depth for a loaded frontcourt. This team didn’t lose much, and they bring back experience that matters. The improvement of newly wealthy man Darius Garland and star sophomore Evan Mobley probably dictates the most for next season. Can they avoid the Play-In and make the top six?
I would have added Sexton to the "major additions" list since he only played 11 games last year. And I certainly would not classify either Rondo or Davis as "major" subtractions. No subtraction is how I would categorize it.
Also, they only had LeVert for less than half the season, so he is a partial addition.
Start with the team that was kicking butt in December before the Rubio injury. Add Sexton, LeVert, Agbagi, Lopez and factor in an improved Mobley and you get the team the Cavs will have in the second half when Rubio returns. But, yeah, they won't have Rondo, Ed Davis, Pangos, and Moses Brown. Gotta factor in those major subtractions.