2025-26 season preview: Sky's the limit for Cavs' Evan Mobley

The Cavaliers' coaching staff and front office are putting no limitations on what power forward Evan Mobley can accomplish. "When you watch him, he's locked in," Cleveland president of basketball operations Koby Altman said. "He can take a leap into being a top five player in the league. "He's ready to take that next step. We go as he goes." Mobley said he's made major improvements to his game. In the summer of 2024, he turned himself into the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year, a second-team All-NBA player and a first-time All-Star. What's in store for Cavs fans in 2025-26? The 7-foot, 215-pound Mobley appears to be ready to take another step in his development. He hinted that becoming the league's Most Valuable Player is not out of reach. "My individual goals are to keep the Defensive Player of the Year award and to make the All-Star team," he said. "The last one I'm going to keep as a secret for now." Well, that secret is out of the bag. "Every year I've been making leaps and leaps," Mobley said. "This year I plan on doing it again and making another leap. I know what I'm capable of and what I can be." Coach Kenny Atkinson has taken it upon himself to build Mobley into a star. "It seems to me that he's going to make another jump," he said. "He's been one of our best shooters (in training camp). I love the perimeter Evan. I also like him in the post. He'll continue to find that balance." Mobley said he spent the offseason hitting the weights and bulking up. He said he's bigger and stronger than last year. "Every day I was pumping iron," he said. The Cavs also have him on a strength program. "They are doing a lot behind the scenes that you guys don't see," Mobley said. "They are creating programs for us and building our bodies so we're able to last the whole season. They know when to turn it up and turn it down. We're going to follow that." Atkinson said he's seen the difference in his young star. "He's playing with more force (around the basket)," he said. "You'll notice how much stronger he's gotten. You can sense another jump from the body perspective and the basketball perspective. His confidence is growing to (somewhere) we haven't seen before. Another level is coming. We'll see that when the season starts." Regardless of when point guard Darius Garland returns to action — he's expected to miss the start of the regular season as he's recovering from toe surgery — Mobley is going to handle the ball more. "You're definitely going to see the ball in my hands a lot more," he said. "With Darius and Max (Strus) being out for a second, we're going to need guys to step up. I have that capability. "Kenny has given me the freedom to develop my game." Mobley said his ball handling has "definitely improved." Guard Lonzo Ball said he was almost shocked at Mobley's skill level. "I'm surprised how comfortable Evan is handling the ball," he said. "I've been watching him for a while now. I saw him in high school and watched his development. I'm really impressed with how he handles the ball." Mobley, 24, is entering his fifth season in the NBA after being the third overall pick in the 2021 draft. Last year, he averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists and shot .557 from the field, .370 from the 3-point line and .725 from the foul line. He said he believes the Cavs have what it takes to be a serious contender for an NBA title. "The ultimate goal is to win a championship," Mobley said. "We're ready for that." He said the experience of losing in the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Indiana Pacers will be something to build on. "The guys have taken it upon themselves to make sure that doesn't happen this year," Mobley said. "We want to surpass that. "It's everyone's goal to go further than last year." He said he loves the additions of Ball and forward/center Larry Nance Jr., the Cavs' two major acquisitions in the offseason. "They are huge," Mobley said. "Lonzo will be huge for us with his passing ability and length and ability to play defense. Larry has been in the league for a long time. Me and Jay (Jarrett Allen) can't be out there all the time." Mobley's teammates are also encouraging him. "I'm in his ear (all the time)," six-time All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell said. "My locker is next to him. He can take his game to a new level. There's a want to." Contact Bob Finnan at (440) 329-7135 or rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.