CLEVELAND — Cavaliers enter camp still haunted by another playoff collapse. Consecutive second-round exits exposed familiar flaws, leaving questions about their ability to advance. June will ultimately measure progress, but the foundations are set now. Training camp is where habits take shape, and the storylines already center on pace, roles, and new arrivals to the Cavaliers.
Three Storylines To Watch In Cavaliers Training Camp
Pushing the Pace
Cleveland wants to play faster. This is not the usual preseason cliché. Coach Kenny Atkinson stresses urgency. “We can be better,” Atkinson admitted. “I mean, efficiency wise we were elite no doubt. But can we get to that scoring zone quicker? There’s obviously a conditioning element to it, but there’s a strategic element. Definitely a point of emphasis in this camp.”
Last season, Cleveland finished tenth in pace during the regular season and sixth in the playoffs. That was still slower than Oklahoma City and Indiana, the eventual finalists. The Cavs now want more kick-aheads and earlier actions. Sam Merrill explained the approach. “We’re just working on quick outlets. Whoever’s there, take the ball out, get it and go. I think for us it’s certain areas we can be faster and quicker.”
Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com detailed the drills. “As part of Tuesday’s session, Cleveland ran multiple drills where split-up teams received points for getting the ball across half court in a certain amount of time. The faster, the better. Along with that, coaches are urging these guys to pick up full court as well, hoping to force opponents out of their usual offensive flow.”
Hunter’s Big Chance
With Max Strus sidelined by a foot injury until at least December, the small forward spot is wide open. De’Andre Hunter appears ready. Terry Pluto reported Hunter has “looked great” in workouts, adding the team was “looking at Hunter as a starter before the injury to Strus.”
Atkinson offered striking praise. “De’Andre Hunter, you could argue, has been our best player in the offseason.” The Cavs admitted last year they “didn’t realize how multifaceted Hunter was offensively.” His catch-and-shoot ability, 43.1 percent last season, fits alongside the core four. If Hunter seizes this chance, Strus may return as a shooting guard instead.
The New Additions
Lonzo Ball and Larry Nance Jr. headline the summer arrivals. Ball brings steadiness while Darius Garland heals. His vision and control will anchor the bench. With Ty Jerome departing in free agency, Ball can replace his shooting. He shot the three-ball at an efficient 42.3% on 7.4 attempts per game.
Nance adds versatility in the frontcourt, complementing Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. His improved shooting, 44.7% on 3.3 threes per game gives Cleveland a new pick-and-pop wrinkle.
Both fit into the broader storylines defining the Cavaliers training camp: adaptation. The Cavs must evolve to break through in the postseason. These changes begin in camp, where every drill and lineup choice signals intent.
Looking Ahead
Training camp cannot solve everything, but it sets the tone. The storylines—pace, Hunter’s emergence, and the newcomers—will define whether Cleveland finally pushes past old limits.
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