This Cleveland Cavaliers season has been a roller coaster, to say the least.
They started off the season 5-7 before winning 13 straight games and then 18 of 19 and becoming 23-8, but since that moment the Cleveland Cavaliers are 3-9.
The defense has been a disaster for most of the season. When the Cavaliers won 18 of 19 games earlier in the season their defense was in the top half of the league. They were giving up 104.6 points per 100 possessions, which stretched over a full season is good for top ten in the league.
The Cavaliers have had a number of problems this season, but one problem has been the inconsistency of J.R. Smith and Jae Crowder.
Smith has played the second most minutes per game this season for the Cavaliers, playing 29.9 minutes per game. With Smith on the court this season the Cavaliers have an offensive rating of 110.3 and a defensive rating of 111.9, good for a net rating of negative 1.6.
But with Smith off the court the Cavaliers have had an offensive rating of 109.4 and a defensive rating of 105.5, good for positive 3.9.
Obviously, no one stat is perfect and a good representation of how good or bad a player is playing. But using ESPN defensive real plus minus (DRPM), Smith is 82nd among shooting guards with a negative 1.51 DRPM.
Smith has not been the only reason for bad play, but since his arrival in Cleveland, Smith has been a solid perimeter defender. He just has not been that guy this year. But if Smith can get back to defending even at an average level that should help improve the Cavaliers defense.
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Much like Smith, the Cavaliers have been better with Crowder off the court than they have been with him on.
He was supposed to come in and be the Cavaliers best perimeter defender and defend the opposing teams best wing, so LeBron James did not have to cover the best wing on the other team in the playoff and then carry most of the load on offense. That was the thought process of acquiring Crower form Boston.
However, it hasn’t exactly worked out that way.
Should the Cavaliers look at a major upgrade to the team?
The obvious best fit for the Cavaliers would be Paul George, but it seems unlikely at this point that the Thunder are going to move him. So, who is the next choice?
Kent Bazemore of the Hawks is a guy that people have talked about as a potential fit for the Cavaliers.
Bazemore is eighth this season in ESPN DRPM among shooting guards. Bazemore is also shooting well on catch and shoot threes at 42.4 percent on the season.
If Smith and Crowder can get back to the guys they have been, along with Bazemore, that would give the Cavaliers guys who can switch on defense.
The cost for Bazemore should not be that high considering his contract. He is signed for about $17 million this year, $17.8 million next year and has a player option for the 2019-20 season of about $19 million.
But, would the Hawks take on the rest of Tristan Thompson contract? He is set to make $16.4 million this season, $17.4 million next season and $18.5 million in 2019-20.
Could they want guys on shorter deals such as Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye? Shumpert contract is for this season and next season is a player option. Frye is in the final year of his contract. Also, their first-round pick in 2018.
The Cavalier will probably make a move because they have two first round picks next season. It will just depend on the level of trade they are going to make.
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Stats do not include the Magic game. All stats from stats.nba.com.