Four Cavaliers Inside Top 50 On ESPN’s 2023-24 Top 100 NBArank List

Cleveland's Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell are all expected to have strong 2023-24 seasons.

For its 13th season, ESPN.com is publishing its NBArank list of the top 100 players in the league based on predicted contributions for the upcoming season.

Earlier today, an article revealed rankings 50 through 11, which were determined by a panel “comprising nearly 150 reporters, editors, producers, and analysts.”

Four Cleveland Cavaliers were named to the top 50: Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Donovan Mitchell.

No. 50 Jarrett Allen (Ranked 52nd last year)

In his second full Cavaliers season, Allen ranked among NBA players in FG% (.644, fifth), RPG (9.8, 12th) and BPG (1.2, 17th), while averaging 14.3 points per game.

Apr 18, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) dunks over New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) during the second half of game two of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse / © Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin pointed out that Cleveland went 13-3 last season in games Allen recorded at least 10 rebounds and two blocks.

No. 40 Evan Mobley (Ranked 36th last year)

In his sophomore campaign, Mobley was named to the 2022-23 All-NBA Defensive First Team, ranking ninth in the league in blocks per game (1.5).

Oct 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) tries to drive to the basket defended by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) during the first half at State Farm Arena / © Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Mobley’s two-way prowess has already drawn comparisons to Chris Bosh and Anthony Davis.

No. 36 Darius Garland (Ranked 46th last year)

Last season, Garland ranked seventh in the NBA in assists per game (7.8), while being Cleveland’s second-leading scorer (21.6 PPG) and shooting a career-best 41.0 percent from three.

Oct 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) controls the ball guarded by Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15) and guard Trae Young (11) during the first half at State Farm Arena / © Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

McMenamin: “He was one of just six players in the NBA last season to average at least 21.6 points and 7.8 assists per game.”

No. 15 Donovan Mitchell (Ranked 24th last year)

Last season, his first with the Cavaliers, Mitchell finished seventh in the NBA in scoring (28.3 PPG, career-high), along with career-best field goal (.484) and free throw (.867) percentages. These marks resulted in Mitchell’s fourth consecutive All-Star selection, his first as a starter.

Apr 26, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) defends Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) in the fourth quarter during game five of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse / © David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

McMenamin: “He can dominate on any given night.”

Cleveland’s four core players will be together for their second season, looking to build on last year’s first-round playoff exit.