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Cleveland Cavaliers: Jeremy Lamb could be the steal of trade SZN

By Dan Gilinsky

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 4: Jeremy Lamb
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 4: Jeremy Lamb /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 18: DerrCLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 18: Derrick Rose #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kyle Korver #26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers attempt to block the shot of Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic at Quicken Loans Arena on January 18, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)ick Rose
CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 18: DerrCLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 18: Derrick Rose #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kyle Korver #26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers attempt to block the shot of Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic at Quicken Loans Arena on January 18, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)ick Rose /

The improved defensive element

Williams placed a respectable 55th in qualified power forwards in ESPN’s Real Defensive Plus-Minus, while Lamb placed 44th among shooting guards (actually ahead of Batum, who has a good defensive reputation), and Walker placed 41st among point guards.

Williams is a player who has always had a great feel defensively and is always going to compete on that end, making him a viable defender. He’s solid in his rotations and is technically sound in his closeouts, as he’s placed in the 93rd percentile in guarding spot-ups and is at least an upgrade over the current Cavs bigs and wings in defensive isolation, placing in the 53rd percentile, per Synergy.

Lamb and Walker are formidable in some areas defensively as well. With Lamb’s ridiculous seven-foot wingspan (as a guard), he’s able to wreak havoc against perimeter shooters, which would help fix a glaring defensive weakness right now for Cleveland, who has struggled to defend the three all season long. He’s much improved in his defensive fundamentals on the perimeter.

Lamb has placed in the 78th percentile defending spot-ups, per Synergy. His length allows him to stay attached and recover if needed in both defending spot-ups and in pick-and-roll coverage, which can create turnovers and lead to run-outs.

Walker’s defense in isolation would also be an upgrade on the ball than other current Cavs defensive guards, who are not assertive enough in their approach and shuffle the help too often. Although he’s undersized, Walker’s sturdy frame and good quickness allow him to stay in front of his opponent the vast majority of the time when on an island.

That’s simply not the case with most current Cleveland defenders. Him placing in the league average in the 50th percentile is solid enough, and he would definitely help the Cavs recently lacking transition defense.

These three defensive pieces would be perfectly fine with the way the Cavs would be able to put up points. It’s not as if Frye, Zizic (who barely has played), Shumpert (who barely has played), and Thomas have made any tangible impact at all on that end.

It was recently reported by StatMuse that Thomas’ defensive rating has been as bad as anyone’s in the last 25 years that’s played a minimum of 25 minutes per game.

So, with the Cavs needing to get a spark, if not ten, by the trade deadline’s conclusion, this deal seems to have the most substance, factoring in both the short and longer-term.

Must Read: Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 potential deals involving JR Smith

If LeBron isn’t satisfied with that move, or something similar involving non-expiring deals and young talent, it’s hard to blame it on the Cleveland front office if he jumps ship.