In theory, the Cleveland Cavaliers got better last week when they made three picks in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft.
But if betting odds are to be believed, any improvements to the Cavs' win-loss record next season will be minimal.
With the NBA Draft in the books and free agency set to kick off on Sunday, sportsbooks have begun to release their initial over-under win totals for the 2019-20 season. And while there are some slight differences between the various oddsmakers (via ActionNetwork.com) -- PointsBet, Fan Duel and Draft Kings -- what is agreed upon is that Cleveland projects to possess the league's lowest win total next season.
PointsBet currently sets the Cavs' over-under win total at 24.5, while Fan Duel and Draft Kings each have it listed at 23.5. At 25.5 across all three books, the Phoenix Suns lay claim to the second-lowest win total in the league.
The entire list of over-under win totals, via Fan Duel, is as follows:
- Milwaukee Bucks - 55.5
- Los Angeles Lakers - 54.5
- Houston Rockets - 52.5
- Philadelphia 76ers - 52.5
- Toronto Raptors - 52.5
- Utah Jazz - 52.5
- Los Angeles Clippers - 49.5
- Denver Nuggets - 49.5
- Boston Celtics -48.5
- Indiana Pacers - 47.5
- Brooklyn Nets - 47.5
- Golden State Warriors - 46.5
- Oklahoma City Thunder - 45.5
- San Antonio Spurs - 44.5
- Portland Trail Blazers - 44.5
- Dallas Mavericks - 41.5
- Miami Heat - 37.5
- Orlando Magic - 36.5
- New Orleans Pelicans - 35.5
- Detroit Pistons - 35.5
- Minnesota Timberwolves - 34.5
- Charlotte Hornets - 34.5
- Sacramento Kings - 34.5
- Atlanta Hawks - 32.5
- New York Knicks - 29.5
- Memphis Grizzlies - 27.5
- Washington Wizards - 27.5
- Chicago Bulls - 27.5
- Phoenix Suns - 25.5
- Cleveland Cavaliers 23.5
That the Cavs rank so low -- or even in last place -- hardly comes as a surprise.
Last season, Cleveland laid claim to a 19-62 record, which tied with Phoenix for the second-worst mark in the entire league. The one team to finish with a worse record than the Cavs and Suns was the New York Knicks, who possess enough cap space to sign two max contract free agents this summer.
The Cavs, meanwhile, are not planning on being active participants in the free agent market -- although they are still monitoring the trade market for J.R. Smith's non-guaranteed contract. Rumblings have also begun regarding Kevin Love's future with the team and Cleveland possesses a number of veterans -- Tristan Thompson, Jordan Clarkson, Brandon Knight and Matthew Dellavedova -- who are entering the final seasons of their respective contracts and could be traded in the year to come.
As for the Cavs' young core, Collin Sexton and Cedi Osman could conceivably make strides next season, while the additions of incoming first-round picks Darius Garland, Dylan Windler and Kevin Porter Jr. should provide newfound upside to the team's roster.
As far as actual wins, however, Cleveland's expectations remain low -- at least as far as the oddsmakers are concerned.