It didn’t end like the Cavaliers hoped, but by golly, they sure had some fun along the way. A 15-game winning streak to start the season.

Pro sports figures aren't always honest in their public messaging, but Cavs executive Koby Altman's stated desire to keep the core four is convincing.

Following a first-round bullying by the New York Knicks two years ago, the Cavs went on an offseason spending spree, adding playoff-tested veterans Max Strus and Georges Niang. Then came last year’s injury-wrecked semifinal loss that forced a coaching change, with Kenny Atkinson replacing J.B. Bickerstaff.