Everybody knows the Cleveland Cavaliers don’t have LeBron James anymore. A positive from James’ departure to the Los Angeles Lakers, though, is an uptick in ball and man movement. The Cavaliers will have more of a balanced playmaking load in 2018-19, which will increase their passing totals.
In 2017-18, with James handling the ball the vast majority of possessions, Cleveland averaged only 270.1 passes made per game, per Second Spectrum. Only the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder averaged less. That won’t be the case this season.
Based on the way Cleveland’s been emphasizing an unselfish approach offensively, it will be interesting to see that come to fruition, starting in the preseason.