The Cavaliers finished with an impressive 64-18 record last season, topping the Eastern Conference standings. But their playoff run ended in disappointment when the Pacers knocked them out in just five games during the Conference semi-finals.
Cleveland is sticking with their core players heading into the new season. During the Cavs’ first summer league game, head coach Kenny Atkinson shared some bold predictions about Evan Mobley’s future.
He thinks Mobley could be “in the MVP conversation” within the next few years.
“He’s already stronger,” Atkinson noted after Cleveland’s season ended, showing excitement about the young star’s development.
The Cavs grabbed Mobley with the third pick in the 2021 draft out of USC. Now 24, he’s transformed into a serious two-way threat. While defense remains his specialty, Mobley has put in tremendous work to improve his offensive game, especially his shooting.
His three-point shooting tells the story of his dedication. During his first two seasons, Mobley shot a weak 23.3% from beyond the arc.
But something clicked after that.
Determined to improve, Mobley boosted his three-point percentage to 37.2% over the past two seasons – a massive jump that’s caught everyone’s attention.
“In these next 2 or 3 years, he’s gotta be in the MVP conversation,” Atkinson told reporter Jared Greenberg, setting a high bar for his young star.
Atkinson seems particularly impressed with how Mobley is maturing off the court. He pointed out that the power forward is becoming more comfortable with his routine and diet – all the little things that help great players reach their potential.
Last season was already a breakout year for Mobley. He averaged a career-high 18.5 points per game, along with 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.6 blocks.
The accolades followed. Mobley made his first All-Star team, earned second-team All-NBA honors, and took home the Defensive Player of the Year award.
If his offensive game continues to grow at this pace, those MVP conversations might start sooner than expected.
The big question now: Can Mobley help the Cavs bounce back from last season’s playoff disappointment and finally make a deep postseason run?
