The Cleveland Cavaliers have obviously improved their team after the Donovan Mitchell trade. This team is getting the full hype train treatment now. Not that the hype is undeserved, but should we all pump the brakes a little?

Cleveland did not give up all that much to go and get a top talent shooting guard like Mitchell. They gave up a couple players that were non-factors last season and a player that has seemingly reached his ceiling in Lauri Markkanen. They did, however, give up a bigger amount of unprotected picks and pick swaps.

If we’re talking about starting five, the Cavaliers have one that can go toe-to-toe with a lot of teams. Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen is a very good, all-around lineup.

Then, when the conversation moves to depth, that’s where this team might start to lack some talent. Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio are serviceable players, but do they match up well to the benches of the top teams that made the playoffs last season?

Teams like the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Milwaukee Bucks are all going to be competing for the top spots. Garland, Mitchell, and Mobley are going to be compared to big threes that include the likes of Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s not just a big task, but to face these star-studded lineups after just forming this trio without the chemistry is a whole different story.

Don’t get this twisted, Donovan Mitchell can score with the best of them. His talent level is not in question. Garland and Mobley are still growing as players, Allen is still reaching his defensive potential, and the team chemistry is going to have to improve quickly. Once all of this comes together and the Cavaliers can sign some more supporting pieces, this team can be a force for years to come.

Right now, though, do you think they’re top three in the Eastern Conference?