NBA Offseason Guide 2022 - How the Cleveland Cavaliers should approach the 2022 offseason

The Cleveland Cavaliers are the epitome of life in the NBA changing quickly.

Two months ago, Cleveland was sitting on a 35-23 record, and the only uncertainty was which top-six seed they would finish with.

Now, two losses in the play-in tournament have Cleveland preparing for the offseason.

It is easy to label this season as a disappointment, or even a failure considering the Cavaliers' record in mid-February.

Neither word is accurate. This year was about learning how to win and how to deal with adversity, something this young Cleveland team encountered during the 2021-22 season.

MORE: Cavaliers rank 17th in Future Power Rankings

Roster status: A solid foundation

The Cavaliers went 8-20 after the All-Star break but that shouldn't be taken as a sign that Cleveland is headed back to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

Cleveland proved through the first 58 games this season (35-23) that there is a solid foundation in place. The tailspin to end the year was more of a result of injuries that impacted the roster.

When Cleveland had Darius Garland, Lauri Markkanen, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen all in the starting lineup, the Cavs were 19-10. Remove even one of the players and the Cavs' record falls to .500.

During the last two months of the season, Cleveland lost Allen for an extended absence and Evan Mobley to end the season. Two other starters, Garland and Markkanen, missed at a minimum of eight games during the season also.

In the games Allen missed, Cleveland's defensive rating dropped from fourth to 23rd.

The focus in the offseason starts with a player who appeared in only seven games: Collin Sexton, who is a restricted free agent. The Cavaliers have a decision to make on how he fits with the current roster.

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