I believe the Cavs are one of the most poorly constructed good teams in the NBA. The roster is missing what I believe is one of the most essential prototypes in the NBA, being the 6’7-6’9 forward. The Cavs roster is full of guys that are 6’0-6’5 that are limited in their ability to guard true forwards. Then as a counter the Cavs run a double center lineup which creates ridiculous congestion for Mobley and Allen as well as trotting out a 6’10 forward who isn’t very versatile and is very streaky. With the limited shooting ability of Mobley and Allen the cavs need a 6’8ish forward that can stretch the floor and play good defense. The last thing the cavs need is another undersized guard that’s a traffic cone on defense or another forward that is streaky at best. It feels like the Cavs are destined to be a first round exit once again because of the poor roster construction. Evan Mobley’s offensive progression has been significantly limited due to the teams poor construction and a lack of a clear role. I believe the Cavs should look into a few different options: making a trade for a 6’7-6’9 defensive forward that can shoot solidly, potentially changing the double center lineup, moving off of undersized guards in favor of taller more versatile players, move off the 6’10 small forward experiments they keep trying. I believe there are significant changes that need to be made for this roster to be seriously considered a legit team. The years of two undersized guards and two centers are over and Cleveland needs to do some level of roster reconstruction if they seriously want to win.
I disagree with basically all this. I don’t know how you watch Evan Mobley play and say he’s a center. His face up moves, dribbling ability, and help-defense are not roles of a center. That said, Mobley does need a better jump shot.
A lot of people are going to disagree with this, but Dean Wade is a decent option as the big forward that you’re describing. Can play both SF/PF, has a quick and respected 3-point shot, and is a very good defender. Makes quick passes and is very low usage. Problem is he has basically no self-creation skills, is limited offensively, and is very low volume. Also don’t know who you’re expecting to solve all these issues all while being “not streaky”.
Really, I think the starting lineup fits together really well. Mobley/Strus duo. Mobley/Allen duo. DG/JA duo. Strus’s role as the versatile forward you’re describing, minus the size. DG’s ability to play off ball. I think once Mobley develops a better jumper and once Mitchell is less relied/plays less hero-ball, this team is in a really good spot. Both these guys have showed signs of this and it’s still early, so I think it’s worth being patient.
I think you’re right about him naturally being more a 4 than a 5 but in the modern NBA that’s pretty tough to have to lumbering bigs in the front court who can’t shoot. The only team in recent memory who’s really went deep with that prototype is the Lakers when they won the chip. The difference was their balance and lockdown defense, some of their shooting holes were filled by their ability to defend at an all time great level. The Cavs don’t have that in our guards. Okoros great for Defense but he’s really our only solid defender in the backcourt. So traditionally I’d agree Mobley is more of a 4 but in the modern sense he’s probably more of a 5. Unless he can develop that three then he can play 4 no problem but until then he’s kinda almost forcing himself into being just another center on the court.