It’s pretty easy to select Cleveland Cavaliers with falling and rising stock, as the team itself is up and down. As Cleveland begins a difficult February schedule, stock in each player will most likely change.
The Cavs are still very young, and constant change is a part of a growing team.
For now, though, let’s check in on the stock of the 10-12 Cavaliers. Stock is notable because of both the March 25 trade deadline and the outlook of the ongoing season.
We’ll hit on a few players with stock up, one that hasn’t moved, really, and a few trending downward.
We’ll begin with the Cavs whose stock is on an upward trajectory.
First is their young lead guard.
Cavs Stock Up: Darius Garland
Fear set in for many Cavs fans when Darius Garland missed time with a right shoulder sprain, which ended up amounting to eight games. Garland needed only two games before shaking off the rust and igniting the Cleveland offense.
Garland’s big games against the LA Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks answered some looming questions. Can he overcome minor injuries? Yes. Can he have high scoring outings? Yep.
We still haven’t seen enough Garland, albeit what we’ve seen lately is promising. Although as he acknowledged, along with the team, it is paramount that they take more three-point attempts. Garland, whose hit 43.1 percent from deep thus far this season, is capable of helping in that realm, though.
Next is Jarrett Allen.
Cavs Stock Up: Jarrett Allen
Allen got the chance to prove himself with Andre Drummond missing the second leg of a home-and-home back-to-back against Minnesota on Monday due lower back soreness, and he delivered. He had 23 points, 18 rebounds, five blocks and all the hype Cleveland could give.
And since he was acquired he was acquired via trade from the Brooklyn Nets, just from that, and per rumors/reports, it’s evident that Allen is Cleveland’s long-term future at the 5. On top of the big game, it’s clear from the eye test that Allen fits better with players such as Darius Garland, Collin Sexton and Isaac Okoro.
The Cavs eventually dealing Drummond could seemingly play out by the deadline, as you can view more about at the aforementioned link, and it wouldn’t be as much of a hit with Allen ready to step in.
Cavs Stock Steady: Sexton
There’s been a bit of a rough patch at times for Collin Sexton since his unreal game versus the Nets, namely in relation to turnovers, and in his past six games, he’s had 3.2 of those per outing. Albeit Sexton has had a solid 4.3 assists per game in those, too, and in that span, has still had 22.0 points per contest, and has gotten to the free throw line frequently, and that’s notable.
As is the case with the Cavs, and Garland, though, we need Sexton to get more triple attempts up; in that span of games, he’s only had 2.5 triple attempts. For a guy that’s hit 44.4 percent from deep on the year, that needs to change.
But it’s tough to grill Sexton.
Now, we’ll hit on the few trending downward.
Cavs Stock Down: Dylan Windler
Just when it seemed Dylan Windler was pushing for more minutes with quality play on both ends, that was seemingly kiboshed. A combined 17 minutes in the Minnesota back-to-back was alarming. Windler is one of the more sound players on the team when healthy, but he has unfortunately appeared somewhat hesitant to let shots fly when there have been opportunities at times.
And for a middle-of-bench player that is seemingly a key catch-and-shoot guy, that’s concerning.
Cavs Stock Down: Drummond
The Cavaliers have gotten a different Drummond since Allen arrived. The big man just hasn’t seemed to be nearly what he was earlier on, and when the Cavs were especially banged-up, really.
That Knicks game was simply horrible. And Drummond looked selfish in that first Timberwolves game, particularly down the stretch. In the Clipper game, he was flatout bad, and shot four-of-13.
Right now it appeared that even in a 25-point, 22-rebound performance at Minny, Drummond played the wrong way with how the game progressed.
The trade rumors/reports of potential deals involving Drummond just seem to be here to stay, anyhow. And for what it’s worth, per Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer on a recent episode of The Ringer NBA Show, the Dallas Mavericks and Toronto Raptors do have interest in Drummond.
We’ll see what’s to come, but Drummond’s stock within the scope of the Cavs is trending down. That’s clear.