We’ve gotten our first look at the newest members of the Cleveland Cavaliers — Peyton Watson, Mario Hezonja, and Meleek Thomas — in the team’s three preseason games. All three showed how they could help this team going forward.
Earlier this week, we asked which of the three has impressed you most in the preseason. Hezonja, who is playing in the NBA for the first time in six years, was the clear winner, with 44% of the people surveyed singling him out as the new Cavalier they’ve been most impressed with.
Hezonja’s preseason got off to a rough start against the Boston Celtics. He struggled in his first-half minutes in his debut before settling into the game in the second half.
Hezonja seemed to become more comfortable back in the NBA as the preseason progressed. Sunday’s 13 points on 5-for-9 shooting were an encouraging step in the right direction. He backed that up with 12 points, six rebounds, and two assists in Tuesday’s preseason finale.
“But as I said since the first day that I arrived here, I know how to play, I know basketball, I know the sport,” Hezonja said after Sunday’s game. “I might be away from the NBA, but I was never away from the game.”
It’s too early to say anything definitive, but Hezonja has the skills the Cavs need at backup power forward. His ability to stretch the floor, act as a tertiary playmaker, rebound, and create mismatches should fit nicely with some of the bench units.
The Cavs are looking to improve on their trip to the conference finals last season. If they’re going to do so, one or more of their newest additions need to hit as high impact players.
The top of the league is crowded, especially in the Eastern Conference. The NBA is in an unprecedented era of parity. This is reflected in some of the preseason future odds.
FanDuel currently gives the Cavs the eighth-best chance to win the Finals at +2700. They’re tied with the Houston Rockets and the Denver Nuggets with those odds. They are tied with the Toronto Raptors with the fourth-best odds to come out of the East at +950. That puts them behind the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics.
