Cleveland Cavaliers: Evaluating the state of the SG position

Evaluating the state of the SG position: Offseason Plan

Unlike the point guard position, the Cleveland Cavaliers are both in need of addressing the shooting guard position and more likely to do so, either in the NBA Draft or in free agency. It is unlikely the rotation looks exactly the same as it did a season ago, despite the principles all being under contract.

Long-term the “Sexland” combination of Darius Garland and Collin Sexton probably isn’t viable due to the defensive concerns. No matter how those two grow as offensive players, their lack of size and long path towards positive defensive impact cap the ceiling of the pairing too low. Given their draft pedigree and production thus far it is unlikely they could afford both in a primarily point-guard only rotation, so at some point they will need to move on from one or the other.

That could be this offseason, as they are rumored to be shopping Sexton to some degree. Moving him for a wing option could slide Okoro to the 2. If they swap Sexton for draft picks, then they have multiple options to address the position in the 2021 NBA Draft.

That could mean taking Jalen Green with the third overall pick. The 6’5″ guard prospect is an athletic marvel who projects as a future offensive star, and his strong free-throw shooting helps to keep that projection high as a shooter and finisher. Defensively he has questions, but at 6’5″ those answers are a lot easier than Sexton’s.

If Green is gone when they draft at 3, they could look to address the position later in the draft. Assuming they get back a 2021 first-round pick back, they could look at 2-guard options such as Moses Moody, Cameron Thomas or Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland.

Whether or not they move Sexton, they should move on from Damyean Dotson’s non-guaranteed contract and bring in a reliable option in free agency or the second round. With Windler’s injury history the team needs another option at the position. Going the free agency route could mean a reclamation projection (Josh Jackson, for example) or a proven commodity (Kent Bazemore). Buying back into the second round could net a productive college player such as Quentin Grimes or Joe Wieskamp, or an upside play such as B.J. Boston or DJ Steward.

Something needs to change at the shooting guard position for the Cavaliers. That could be a significant move, trading Collin Sexton and completely renovating the position. It could also be a move or two on the margins, swapping out options behind Sexton but giving him another few months before revisiting the trade idea in the offseason.

The current rotation is a collection of players with pronounced strengths and weaknesses, which in the right situation can come together to strike gold, but also make lineups more difficult to construct. This offseason could be an opportunity to find a more well-rounded option, or to lean into the variance and see how the chips fall.