Cavs should try to trade for perfect fit Dejounte Murray: How Murray would fit
Darius Garland is a dynamic player with the ball in his hands, comfortable pulling up from outside the arc or driving into the teeth of the defense for his patented floater. He has excellent chemistry with both Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley in the pick-and-roll, and he is already one of the very best lob throwers in the league. The Cavs are dangerous when Garland is running the offense.
And yet, the Cavs’ very best lineups last season came when Garland shared the court with another point guard, Ricky Rubio. Garland is more Stephen Curry than Luka Doncic (or, to this point, even Trae Young). He loves to run off screens, and his shot is versatile enough for him to pull-up off movement. If the defense rotates to contest he can then drive into a compromised defense and force more decisions on the back line.
Dejoute Murray is a really solid ball-handler and can score all around the paint, from layups at the rim to floaters to mid-range jumpers. He has the size at 6’4″ to see over the defense to some extent, and a defense trying to stop Jarrett Allen on the roll and Ochai Agbaji in the slot and Darius Garland sprinting off of an Evan Mobley screen…well, they’re in trouble.
The defensive end is where the fit becomes immaculate. Murray has a 6’10” wingspan and a preternatural ability to generate steals. He led the league in steals per game last season and is in the mix for the All-Defense teams every season. He can guard the most intimidating player 1-3 on the opposing team and free up Garland for the easiest assignment.
Playing Murray, a career 33 percent 3-point shooter, alongside Allen and Mobley could make spacing difficult, but his deep skill level will help to balance that out. He solves the backup point guard problem, makes for a perfect backcourt fit with Garland and is just 25 years old. The fit on this roster is sublime.