Just as soon as the Eastern Conference Finals began for the Cleveland Cavaliers, it ended. 

The Cavaliers were swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Now they begin to plan for next season as they try to go even further in the playoffs because Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was not satisfied with the outcome 

“We took a step ahead this spring, but we are nowhere near where we need to be. I can’t thank the fans enough for the support this year. We will dig in all summer and do everything we possibly can to take the next step. We will grind until we get there,” Gilbert wrote on X. “Congrats to the @nyknicks, and best of luck in the Finals.”

The Cavaliers have now made the playoffs for four straight seasons, and this year, expectations were higher than ever. Cleveland boasted the highest payroll in the league and had superstars across the roster 

Forward Evan Mobley and guard Donovan Mitchell led the charge at the beginning of the season. Then the Cavaliers acquired James Harden in a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Clippers on February 4th. 

With that roster, the Cavaliers finished fourth in the Eastern Conference, eventually taking down the 1st-seeded Detroit Pistons in seven games to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. But that is where the playoff run ended. 

For the players, it was a disappointing end to a good season. However, some viewed it as motivation for next year. 

“I have no doubt that this group can get there,” Mitchell said after the game four defeat on Monday. “I’ve said that all year. The biggest thing is you just use it as a learning lesson. It’s a tough learning lesson, but now we know.”

Other star James Harden reiterated that he would be open to returning as the guard enters free agency this offseason. 

“Definitely want to be here,” Harden said on Monday. “I think we found something. It’s tough. It’s not ending how we wanted to, but I think we found something.”

While it is not a foregone conclusion that the same core will run it back next season, Cavalier fans will hope that the team can take the next step.