Draft Outlook
Three seasons of rebuilding, yet the Cavaliers aren’t much closer to chasing a playoff spot than they were when LeBron James headed west in 2018. They ranked last in scoring, last in 3-point percentage, 28th in points per 100 possessions (105.2), 25th in points allowed per 100 (113.5) and 28th in defensive 3-point percentage (38.3%). Veterans such as Kevin Love, Larry Nance Jr. and Cedi Osman were few and too often hurt. That left the kids – Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Jarrett Allen – to learn on the fly. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff and GM Koby Altman need to get this group moving up, or the topic next summer might be about moving out.
A Stat That Matters
1 — The Cavs were the only team that ranked in the bottom five in field goal percentage in the paint (53.4%, 27th), mid-range field goal percentage (37.2%, 27th), and 3-point percentage (33.6%, 30th).
The Way To Go
It seems like it was only yesterday that we wrote in this space, “Faced with a draft heavy in lead guards on the heels of drafting lead guards (Sexton, Garland) … Cleveland has to choose between plugging a hole elsewhere or fiddling again with its backcourt.” Actually it was last year, but the situation is similar. Adding Okoro then didn’t alter things much now. The Cavaliers could draft Jalen Suggs or Jalen Green, and try to trade Sexton for help elsewhere, avoiding Sexton’s contract extension decision altogether. Or if Houston doesn’t take Evan Mobley, they could pick the USC big man, though that could put Allen — a helpful piece last season — in play. Cleveland’s biggest need is at wing, where someone like Florida State’s Scottie Barnes or Michigan’s Franz Wagner would crack the conventional wisdom for No. 3.
Under Contract
G: Damyean Dotson
G: Darius Garland
G: Collin Sexton
G/F: Dylan Windler
F/G: Issac Okoro
F: Cedi Osman
F: Taurean Prince
F: Lamar Stevens
F/C: Mfiondu Kabengele
F/C: Kevin Love
F/C: Larry Nance Jr.
F/C: Dean Wade
Free Agents
G: Matthew Dellavedova (unrestricted)
G: Jeremiah Martin (restricted)
G: Brodric Thomas (restricted)
C/F: Isaiah Hartenstein (player option)
C: Jarrett Allen (restricted)
> 2021 Free Agent Tracker
Last Year’s Draft
2020: Isaac Okoro (5)
— Steve Aschburner