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.
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Strong disagree with all this. Trading talent for fit got us old Shaq and Antwan Jamison and cost us LeBron.
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.
Also this forward you speak of is the hardest thing to come by in the nba. There is no forward that meets any of your, and my requirements that the cavs can possibly get barring a trade of Donovan mitchell. Allen or garland is not enough to get you a all star potential small forward. If i was the cavs i would be calling teams with a all star level small forward and offer them spida. Trading allen doesnt really work because mobley isnt a center. He needs to bulk up way more before they can trade allen. If mobley developed into more of a shooter he could be a 4 but considering his shooting as not only not improved its gotten worse. He is kind of in no mans land, hence why no defined role. Once he gains 20 ish pounds then they can trade allen. Maybe in a year or two.
Right??? Grant cost a ton, every lottery drafted wing has been a crapshoot (one Kevin Knox for every MPJ, who is still underperforming and lost time to injury). Even Harrison Barnes who is the definition of mid is outside of our $.
Our talent just hasn’t been at the wing position, accept that we have a fun and good core 4, and complement it the best you can
Well, yeah, it’s hard to find those players, but all the good teams have them so…
Unfortunately. This sub will never admit it because they cant be objective about their favorite team ( i fully understand). This team as contructed is doomed to fail. Mobley and garland are a small part of the reason why, because the front office took a gamble and thought these two players would take off and become much better then they currently are. Some of this is because they have been stunted by Mitchell being here, some of it is because of coaching and some of it is because their ceiling just isnt high enough.
This team is gonna get crushed by their high expectations, expectations that came on because of the Mitchell trade. This trade has put them in a tough spot because they jumped the gun way too early. I fully believe that no matter how the season plays out Mitchell is basically gonna be gone. He is under team control for next year only ( last year is a player option) and when he doesnt extend this offseason they will have to move on from him. Im on the side of trading him now and just pulling off the band-aid, get what you can get for him and fire the coach and bring someone in who might be able to unlock Mobley and garland a little bit more