John Kuntz / cleveland.com
A lot of money was spent during the 2024 NBA offseason. Over $6.7 billon worth, to be exact. And in an unprecedented free agency period for the Cleveland Cavaliers, they were the 2nd highest-spenders across the association.
Why? Because it took $465 million to keep the "Core Four" under contract together until, at least, the 2026-27 season.
While Darius Garland had already signed a five-year extension back in 2022, Cleveland still had three more stars to take care of. And they did not hesitate this offseason.
The process of locking in the Cleveland core began with superstar guard Donovan Mitchell, who agreed to a three-year max extension worth $150.3 million on July 2. Cavalier 7-footer Evan Mobley quickly followed suit on July 22 with his five-year, $224 million extension. And center Jarrett Allen completed his deal on August 1, securing a 3-year, $91 million extension.
Today, the Cavaliers returned to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse for the unofficial first day of the 2024-25 season---NBA Media Day. And with money squared away for Garland, Mitchell, Mobley, and Allen, it was the first media day where they could go in without hearing questions surrounding their future with the organization.
The future is now, and today was all about basketball for the Core Four.
Here are some takeaways from media availability with each of the Cavalier stars.
Darius Garland
It was tough going for the 2022 All-Star a season ago. A number of injuries, quite literally, weighed down the 24-year-old point guard as the year progressed. The biggest setback for Garland arrived in December when he suffered a broken jaw against the Boston Celtics.
The road to recovery was not easy for Darius as he was forced into a fully-liquid diet, causing him to lose 12 pounds over four weeks. While he was reported to have quickly gained 10 pounds back by February 1, he was open with reporters Monday about how the injury really took a toll on the rest of his season.
"I really wasn't myself," Garland shared. "Being down 15 pounds in the playoffs is tough, [especially with] a lot more pushing, a lot more holding."
Comparing the point guard's statistics from pre-jaw injury to post-injury, Garland's scoring production took a 4-point hit, dropping from 20.7 ppg to 16.6 ppg.
"You go through these points in your career," Cavs superstar Donovan Mitchell told media Monday. "I think for [Garland], my biggest thing is, 'how do you respond?' We all believe in him and what he's capable of, so we're here to have his back."
For Garland's sake, the Cavs' biggest acquisition may perhaps be their new head coach Kenny Atkinson. Working with Atkinson, Garland could be primed for a big year with the help from a coach widely known for his ability to get the best out of his point guards.
"He's really good coming off of off-ball screens," Coach Atkinson stated during his media availability on Friday, referring to film he watched of the 2021 Cavs using Garland in sets with the now-retired Ricky Rubio as the primary ball handler.
Garland faced a lot of criticism from fans for his playoff performance last season, but it is clear that the Cleveland front office is not ready to give up on their longest tenured Cavalier on the roster just yet.
Donovan Mitchell
"I've known for a little bit that [resigning] was my decision," Mitchell admitted early in his presser on Monday. "I knew for sure probably around January, around the Paris game."
For some fans, this statement from the five-time all star was exactly what they needed to hear. The rumors were loud leading up to Mitchell's three-year extension with Cleveland, but now all sides can take a collective sigh of relief.
Now, prior to resigning with Cleveland, it was previously reported that Donovan Mitchell signed off on the decision by the front office to hire Atkinson as their next head coach. The move follows a playoff run where the Cavaliers struggled to get into their offensive flow, even with one of the league's top scorers spearheading the attack.
Transitioning from a defensive-minded Coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who was fired in May, to an offensive-minded Atkinson will provide a fresh look for the Cavs' offense.
"We have got to get him the easy stuff," Atkinson stated Friday. "I feel a responsibility [to] make his life easier." Mitchell was a very efficient shooter all season long in 2023-24, going 46.2% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range. With that efficiency, the new coaching staff believes they can get him into easier off the ball and catch and shoot situations compared to the bulk of his postseason scoring that required the ball in his hands.
Evan Mobley
Mobley's hefty contract extension this offseason raised a lot of eyebrows around the NBA. However, if you ask Kenny Atkinson about the 23-year-old seven-footer, he's one of, if not, the most critical piece to Cleveland's improvement in the upcoming season.
"It starts with Evan," Atkinson shared. "Just being that young, there's going to be a natural improvement." Another big talking point during Friday's press conference with both Altman and Atkinson was increasing Mobley's usage.
Mobley also had a busy offseason that started in the weight room and gradually transitioned back to the court leading up to training camp this week.
"Our performance team is doing an incredible job building his body up," Atkinson shared about Mobley's summer work. "I know he's made a real effort and emphasis this summer into getting stronger."
Kenny Atkinson has also been open that he wants to eventually see Mobley consistently taking three point shots. That, however, is not something that he feels needs to be rushed into his game. After all, Atkinson admitted that the team's three point shooting is already great as it is, with pieces like Sam Merrill, Max Strus, Garland, and Mitchell.
Finally for Mobley, Coach Atkinson hinted that his time with Victor Wembanyama and France at the Paris Olympic Games may have given the new head coach some ideas that he looks to implement into Mobley's role with the Cavs.
Jarrett Allen
As expected, Kenny Atkinson was the talk of the town at media day. Every player was asked about their thoughts on the new coach, but for Jarrett Allen, the focus was on his experience with Coach Kenny on the Brooklyn Nets from 2017-2020.
"I feel like he's always believed in me," Allen explained Monday. "After he left, he was still keeping in contact with me, praising how far I've come."
Allen's relationship was always great in Brooklyn with Kenny, but there was a clear question that understandably needed answered on Monday---what led to his departure from the team in 2020?
"He's a very energetic guy, and he's going to tell you how things need to be," Allen explained. "Kenny has a certain way of doing things that aren't popular with the masses, but I'm a believer in his methods and sometimes things don't work out with coaches."
A big concern heading into the season centers around a rib injury Allen suffered in the first round of the playoffs that took him out for the rest of the postseason. The concern, however, is not about the injury itself. Criticism built up in the offseason from former teammate Marcus Morris, claiming that he would have played through the injury if he was in Allen's shoes. This season, Allen wants to leave no doubts about his toughness.
"I want to play all 82 games this year," Allen stated as his primary goal for the following season. The big man played 77 games last season, the most for him since the 2019-20 season.
Off to Training Camp
The Cavs will venture to Bradenton, Florida Monday night and become the first team in the NBA to host their training camp at IMG Academy.
Cleveland begins their preseason schedule on October 8 at home against the Chicago Bulls.
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