J.B. Bickerstaff enters the 23-24 season reportedly under pressure to guide the Cleveland Cavaliers to an improved offense to match their defense this coming season. The Cavaliers feature a pair of bigs in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, who both need to play near the basket currently, which has hurt their spacing. 

"I think that J.B. Bickerstaff is under a measure of pressure after the way that team played in the playoffs," said Brian Windhorst on his podcast. "And the way they were outmaneuvered. Thibs just did a better job with their lineups. He just did.

"Some of the Cavs went down their leg. Jarrett Allen basically admitted to it.

"They didn't show up in that series for the most part," interjected Tim Bontemps.

"I think J.B. Bickerstaff is under a measure of pressure. He's delivered a terrific defensive game plan for several years now. He has turned them into an elite defensive team. That's why they won 50 games. He's under some pressure to deliver an offensive system that takes advantage of Evan Mobley and finds a way to alleviate the concerns you brought up. Finds a way to play their best defensive lineup on offense."

The potential upside for Mobley on offense is when he has the ball in his hands, but that is difficult considering he plays with a pair of ball dominant guards in Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. 

The NBA is returning to Paris, France for a third regular season game. This season's NBA Paris Game will feature the Brooklyn Nets taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 11, 2024.

The Nets previously played a preseason game in Paris in 2008. This trip will mark the Cavs first to play in Europe.

The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Houston Rockets 99-78 to win the NBA 2K24 Summer League championship.

Isaiah Mobley, who finished the game with 28 points and 11 rebounds, was named the game MVP.

Sam Merrill finished the game with 27 points, with Emoni Bates adding in 19 points.

Cam Whitmore, who was named the 2023 Summer League MVP, finished with 14 points for the Rockets. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers plan on keeping their "core four" of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen together. Allen was the subject of trade rumors in June.

“I intend that to be the case,” Altman said when asked recently during a Zoom call if those four players will remain together going into the 2023-24 season. “I never make promises in case something were to miraculously happen, but all four know how important they are to this, and no conversations have happened. Outside of teams calling doing their job, no conversations have happened substantial that we envision breaking up this core. It’s a core that won 51 games last year and really has a lot more runway left. I think we’re going to continue to get better.”

There were also rumors of a potential Garland trade.

“That was the most crazy rumor you’ve ever heard of in your life,” Altman said. “We’ve drafted him. We raised him to be an All-Star. He’s under contract for five more years. He loves it here.”

The Cavaliers retooled their roster by signing Max Strus and Georges Niang, which allows them to feel better about keeping their core unchanged.

“Do I feel good about Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen? Absolutely,” Altman said. “We have all-world defensive players in our frontcourt. Can we add to that? Absolutely. I think we’re looking at that as well. But to start there, we’re the No. 1 defense in the league because of those two. I think we’re in a good spot.”

Robin Lopez has agreed to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Lopez spent last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lopez previously played for the Bucks, who also re-signed Brook Lopez this offseason.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Ty Jerome have agreed to a two-year contract for $5 million. Jerome finished last season on a two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors.

Jerome averaged 6.9 points and 3.0 assists in 18.1 minutes over 45 games with the Warriors last season. He's also played for the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder during his four-year NBA career.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are acquiring Damian Jones from the Utah Jazz. Jones opted into his $2.6 million veteran minimum deal with Utah ahead of free agency opening.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to acquire Max Strus from the Miami Heat on a four-year, $63 million sign-and-trade.

The Heat will require a second round pick from the Cavaliers, while the San Antonio Spurs receive Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens and a second round pick.