Cavs: Nerlens Noel would be a quality defensive free agent addition

Noel would be an effective lob threat

On the offensive end, I wouldn’t expect Noel to be a key threat, really, but he is a very effective lob threat. Noel is a great athlete vertically, and he has good mobility for a 5 that could get his share of lob/dunker role finishes via deliveries from the likes of Darius Garland and Kevin Porter Jr.

Some big-to-big feeds from dumpoffs from Larry Nance Jr. would seem feasible as well, and though he’s not a viable jump shooting presence, Noel would provide efficient finishing and ability to be a good interior threat, which could give perimeter players feed opportunities over-the-top.

That’s whether it’s from Noel as a roller, or from mid-clock looks above-the-rim, realistically from Garland, or perhaps Dylan Windler being able to hit Noel on the weak side, with Windler being able to hit those, too.

In terms of the on-ball shot creation sense, I wouldn’t expect much from Noel in rotational minutes for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but he’s a career 71.7 percent finisher in the restricted area, so when the chances to arise, he’s highly capable near the rim.

That’s clear, and again, I wouldn’t expect much on-ball for himself consistently, albeit Noel is a particularly active offensive rebounder, too, in the same realm as Nance, if you will, of course, not Drummond level. Noel having a lifetime 9.3 percent offensive rebounding clip is nothing to sneeze at, and that could provide energy in bench minutes.

So would Noel be interested in coming to the Cavaliers? We’ll have to see, along with the potential compensation, but to me, Cleveland would be wise in targeting him with him being an impact defender in minutes as a backup 5. That’s in-line with what Fedor alluded to regarding Jordan Bell not seeming to be nearly an every-night player, anyhow.

If Drummond were to be moved, we’d have to see from there as far what Cleveland would do with the starting 5 role, however, a 5 would seem to be very well be included down the road.

Keep an eye out for Noel to be a name that could maybe be signed by the Wine and Gold fairly soon, at any rate. Free agents/their agents can be contacted by clubs Friday at 6 PM/free agent deals can be signed at 12:01 PM on Monday, as Pompey noted.