National Basketball Association

NBA Central Division Outlook: Who Can Run With The Cleveland Cavaliers?

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:42 p.m. ET

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Jun 22, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James celebrates during the NBA championship parade in downtown Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Cavaliers have run the NBA Central Division for a while, but what team can break from the pack and give the defending champs a challenge?

Since King James came back to Cleveland, the Cavaliers have dominated the Eastern Conference, and by result, the Central division.

But the division around them looks a lot different in 2016-17. The Indiana Pacers have added pieces to aid Paul George, and the Chicago Bulls are a totally new team – for better or worse. And with the Detroit Pistons getting some experience in the playoffs against the Cavs, and the Milwaukee Bucks getting longer (somehow), this may be the deepest division in the NBA.

And while no one would argue that Cleveland remains the dominant franchise in the East, did the division just get filled with a few more landmines?

The moves made within the division certainly poses a stiffer bout of competition, and LeBron James and company will get tested early and often. But did the moves close the gap? Or is Cleveland still the clear leader of the division?

June 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) shoots against Golden State Warriors forward Anderson Varejao (18) in the first half in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Cavaliers

Obligatory start with the defending champions. The Cavs have run roughshod on the East since LeBron came back. And while there may be some improved teams, I don’t think there can be another favorite than the defending NBA Champions.

There will be some thinning out, with Cleveland losing Timofey Mozgov on the interior and Matthew Dellavedova as the backup point guard. The bulk of the roster returns, however, surrounding with Cleveland the pieces of a clear championship contender, if not favorite. But let’s be honest, any team that has LeBron James could feature that.

But Cleveland is especially talented, with a deep bench and point guard who’s come into his own. The question now becomes whether Kevin Love can evolve his game. His disappearance again in the NBA Finals led to a strong belief in him being the odd man out of a team that was close to getting over the hump.

The win, though, has quieted those doubts for now, but if things start to stagnate for Cleveland, it’ll be Love as the scapegoat all over again.

May 16, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers new head coach Nate McMillan speaks to the press during a press conference at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana Pacers

We aren’t too far removed from the Pacers’ teams that took the Miami Heat on pound for pound, and pushed LeBron to new heights. But now that James is in the division, the roster of the Pacers looks completely different, featuring only Paul George from that pounding starting lineup.

The Pacers again doubled down on a revamp this offseason, trading away George Hill and adding Jeff Teague to pair with Monta Ellis and Rodney Stuckey. They’ve already got Paul George, who’s a superstar and one of the best two-way players in the NBA.

Myles Turner was one of the best young players down low last season, and they’ve added Al Jefferson to pair with him.

The Pacers long bet on their defense, and have moved now to an offensive focus. With Jefferson, George, Ellis and Teague, the Pacers have one of the more offensive-focused lineups in the East.

It’s a new-look for the Pacers, and should provide an added boost. But this defense will be bad, and is going to have a hard time slowly down an offense like the Cavs.

Apr 24, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Cavs win 100-98. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons added some attitude when they brought in Stan Van Gundy. And got a mean streak and a plan they desperately needed. They’ve added some talent, and gotten bigger. Tobias Harris’ addition last year brought some solid contribution from a player just entering his prime for basically peanuts.

The ever-athletic Stanley Johnson also looked great on defense, and should improve in his second season. Of course they extended Andre Drummond, and having Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Marcus Morris certainly brought size and tenacity.

They’ve also added some big-time pieces, adding a project in 7-foot-3 behemoth Boban Marjanovic, and picked up a big steal in Ish Smith to backup Reggie Jackson. The roster should continue to improve and get better, and are in a better place in the short time of the new regime than the long period of mediocrity before him.

For the first time in a long time, there are assets and hope in Detroit. And with their boisterous (albeit short-lived) opposition to Cleveland, this team gave a loud statement that they aren’t going anywhere any time soon.

With another year under the belt, the expectations are that they’ll make some noise in the East. But this team is still a bit away from seriously contending for the top challenger to Cleveland, aren’t they?

Apr 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls have long been the thorn in the side of LeBron. But, like in Indiana, the bulk of that pestering Bulls squad of a few seasons ago is gone from the offseason. The Bulls made a massive shift in letting Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah go. And Pau Gasol is also no longer.

The face and makeup of the Bulls has gone, replaced by Rajon Rondo, the embattled former Celtic and King and Robin Lopez, who’ll take over anchor duties for Noah.

It’s definitely a regime change, but nothing highlights the change of direction quite like their marquee signing of Dwyane Wade. The system changed for sure, with a focus now on Jimmy Butler and a more paint driven offense.

But it can’t honestly feel like this team got much better in the interim, with a pass-first point guard who can’t shoot paired with a drive-first shooting guard, and now-undersized wing. The Bulls have doubled down, and are now firmly planted with some veteran players and a change of the guard.

As far as contending against Cleveland, it feels like a stretch.

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sport

Milwaukee Bucks

If you’re looking for the team with the most upside in the division, look no further than right here. The Bucks are the young and fierce, with a long team that’s freakishly athletic and not at all conventional.