Cleveland sports storylines to watch for in 2025
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Guardians star José Ramírez. Photo: Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
Local sports fans are riding a rollercoaster of emotions regarding Cleveland's big three teams.
- That's sure to continue in 2025, as things look up for two of them and down (like, way down) for the other.
Here's what we're watching this year:
🏀 Cavaliers are on top
The Cavs are currently the darlings of the NBA with the league's best record under new coach Kenny Atkinson.
- Any doubts about the team's ability to compete for an NBA championship were removed after defeating the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder last week.
- Forward Evan Mobley has emerged as a surefire All-Star and contender for Defensive Player of the Year.
The bottom line: The Cavs are headed toward homecourt advantage in the Eastern Conference playoffs and, possibly, the NBA Finals.
Yes, but: Cleveland has had strong showings the past two regular seasons before being dominated in the playoffs by the Boston Celtics in 2024 and New York Knicks in 2023.
⚾ Guardians hope to run it back
The Guardians won the American League Central in 2024 under new manager Stephen Vogt and were one step away from the World Series.
- The team bolstered an already strong farm system by selecting second baseman Travis Bazzana as the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB Draft.
- The Guardians also re-signed ace Shane Bieber, who will look to rebound from Tommy John surgery.
The bottom line: Cleveland should contend for the AL Central crown again.
Yes, but: The trading of All-Stars Andrés Giménez and Josh Naylor could come back to bite them.
🏈 Browns once again need a QB decision
We've already detailed a potentially wild offseason for the Browns, but let's focus on two big on-the-field questions.
Who will be the team's quarterback next season? There's a chance Deshaun Watson won't be ready at the start of next season after tearing his Achilles a second time.
- The team could look to free agency and potentially reunite free agent Kirk Cousins with his former coach Kevin Stefanksi.
Between the lines: The other big question is who the Browns will select with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
- They could take a quarterback or go after someone like Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
The bottom line: Cleveland has to solidify what's arguably the most important position in sports.
Reality check: It's the Browns. Fans have every reason to believe they'll screw it all up.