Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin has had a change of heart. He went on an ESPN podcast and said that believes that the Cleveland Cavaliers need to improve their depth in the frontcourt.
After Tristan Thompson ran off the court on Thursday night, clutching his hand in pain, Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin went to check on him in the locker room. The injury scare finally convinced Griffin that there’s a need to address the depth at the position.
Speaking on ESPN’s “The Really Big Show” podcast, hosted by Tony Rizzo, David Griffin commented on a number of topics, including how the team doesn’t want too much change but wants to improve, J.R. Smith and his lack of a timetable after breaking his thumb in December and their need for depth at multiple positions.
After being asked about if he would get a big man, Griffin said he feels they need depth at multiple positions, not just a point guard or center.
Griffin: "We need to be a little deeper at a few positions...just in case [of injury]..."
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) January 20, 2017
But with Kevin Love out with back problems, a problem he’s been having all season, red flags have been raised about the depth of the entire frontcourt.
That may provide an explanation for the team’s reported interested in Phoenix Suns’ forward P.J. Tucker, who, despite his below-average three-point conversion rate of 30.1 percent, can knock down the corner threes Love is often in position to take. Defensively, he’s an active, physical and versatile player who will fit in well with a nearly position-less Cavs team.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Interested In Phoenix Suns' F P.J. Tucker
Thompson’s Injury scare may just have brought Griff into the reality that the Cleveland Cavaliers also need a backup center. They’re just an average rebounding team and prone to being walloped in the paint because they lack a rim-protector. A mobile big would be preferable in what is a perimeter-oriented league but both the trade and free agency options are limited at the center position.
If the Cavs make a couple of roster tweaks, there’s a better chance of them repeating. Griffin may have just realized one of the biggest ones they could make.
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How many positions do you see the Cleveland Cavaliers needing to improve their depth at? Let us know in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.