Where should the Cleveland Cavaliers be ranked on ESPN’s preseason NBA Power Rankings?

Where should the Cleveland Cavaliers be ranked on ESPN’s preseason NBA Power Rankings?

Welcome back to the Ultimate Cleveland sports show. Let’s take a look at ESPN’s just released NBA Sum power rankings. I always chuckle at these. You never know what’s truly at this point, we know where the free agents went. We know what happened with the draft. Cavs come in currently ranked 4th in the NBA, but notably the top team in the Eastern Conference with Boston dismantling and Indiana. Indiana has obviously some injuries that they have to overcome guys, is this number 4? Do you agree with that? Is it too high? Is it too low? What’s your date? boy? Well, look, um, given the fact that the, uh, I believe the Knicks went further, um, but I, I look at the Cavs roster. I’m like, OK, uh, I think they did some good things with Nance and I like Lonzo Ball and, and you know, so they, they’ve bolster what they are. I, I he’s gone, hey man, you know. You know that’s how it is it’s still, it’s still, it’s still a plus. My thing is this, um. It really don’t matter really and and if you’re gonna put 3 Western Conference teams ahead of them, you can only play one of them, only play one of them, — so
— they might as well be number 2. They might that’s so that’s the way I looked at it. I’m like, oh hey, put up, put them up there all you want. I can only get to the one of them, whoever is gonna win, and I hope they beat each other up. So I ain’t got a problem with it. I could see where, you know, the Knicks have a new coach in Mike Brown. You don’t know how that’s gonna work, um, you know, the Cavs. again another year older, uh, Mobley seems to have some videos out there doing his thing, um, so I, you know, I can see, I can see Jason where they got him at at 4. I mean, but for all of us, we don’t even really care like that. We, we just about what it is they’re gonna do in these playoffs. Yeah, I think if you’re top 5, you’re good enough, you know, it, it’s, I don’t know if it really matters squabbling over 432, whatever, certainly they shouldn’t be number one. OKC has. Earned the right to be #1. They won the championship and they’re bringing everybody back. Houston’s #2 because Kevin Durant. That’s why — I don’t know that I love Denver above them if we
— really had with, yeah, — that’s what
— I, I think the Cavs should be 3, and I think you can even make the cases that for them at number 2. I understand what happened last year. I, I know, uh, I really like the Rockets coach and Ime Uduka Udoka, uh, so you know if you want to quibble about 2 and 3. Knock yourself out, but they, they’re about where they should be. They should be above the Knicks. I feel, I still think the Cavs are the most talented team in the East, and if you wanna put them 234, it doesn’t really matter. They’re gonna sell it on the. I, I think Jay Jay, we, we overpower rankings like I, I, I the whole year we won’t nobody in the city of Cleveland — will be looking at power ranking
— unfazed by all of this, yeah, I agree with both of what you guys said it matters 0% to me. I don’t care. I won’t care if we win 72 in the regular season. I will not. Or 52, — frankly it
— doesn’t get in the playoffs if you win 52 and you win the first game of your series and you’re on the road, it’s like you won 72. Now you have home court. It’s funny how quickly the Cavs got back to where they were when LeBron was here when LeBron’s like, man, just get me in. It don’t matter. Well, that’s where we’re, we’re back there, and we are. And so whether you’re one, you’d you’d love to be one, don’t get me wrong, but I think they got this pretty close to right. I would have had them at number 3. I even. Tried to talk myself into maybe above Houston, but I get, I get the excitement right now around the Rockets, um, but I, I’m fine with where they are. I, I personally would have had Cavs 3, Nuggets 4, Knicks 5, but again, get on the dance floor and hope to be among the last two at the dance. That’s, that’s the goal and then anything can happen.

The Cleveland Cavaliers enter the 2025-26 NBA season ranked #4 on ESPN’s preseason NBA Power Rankings, sitting just behind the Thunder, Rockets, and Nuggets. That’s not just a nod—it’s a clear statement that Cleveland is finally being recognized as a legitimate title contender. This squad just came off a 64-win season, the best in the Eastern Conference, and returns the core of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Darius Garland under the leadership of head coach Kenny Atkinson. Mobley took home Defensive Player of the Year, Mitchell earned All-NBA First Team honors, and the team’s revamped, modern offense made them one of the most efficient units in the league.

From a Cleveland lens? Ranking fourth feels fair—but you could make a strong case that they should be in the Top 3. Boston is dealing with injury concerns, Milwaukee’s adjusting after roster turnover, and Philly remains a question mark. The Knicks are deeper, but Cleveland’s firepower on both ends of the court still gives them the edge. Add in savvy offseason additions like Lonzo Ball and Larry Nance Jr., and this team isn’t just trying to “win a round.” They’re trying to win the East. John Schuhmann even has them at #1 in the East, citing balance, maturity, and a sustainable blueprint.

So, if ESPN keeps the Cavs at #4, fine—but let’s not forget: Cleveland has the best returning record, the best defense, and arguably the best chemistry in the conference. Anything below #4 is disrespect. This team has championship DNA and is poised to prove it every night. If national media is still hesitating, that’s on them. Cavs fans know—this is the year to believe.

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