2 players to watch on Cavs Summer League Roster

We are a week-plus removed from the 2022 NBA Draft, and the 2022 Summer League campaign is right around the corner. This year’s Cleveland Cavaliers roster was announced on Twitter Friday afternoon. Cavs fans will get their first look at draft picks Ochai Agbaji, Luke Travers (a draft-and-stash prospect), and Isaiah Mobley. Joining those three in Summer League is a cast of interesting players, looking to make their NBA dream come to life.

Some familiar faces like R.J. Nembhard and Ashton Hagans, will be joined by the likes of former five-star recruit Josh Hall, Michigan State alum Aaron Henry, and former MAAC Player of the Year Cam Young. Summer League will tip off on July 7 in Las Vegas, and will run through the 17th.

https://twitter.com/cavs/status/1542916832465674245?s=20&t=s4cHWbN8xgYgofwfMp6TFQ

With that being said, let’s take a closer look at two players to pay close attention to in Vegas.

#1: Josh Hall

Hall is a former five-star recruit and North Carolina State commit. However, after attending Moravian Prep, he decided to forgo college and enter the 2020 NBA Draft. He went undrafted, but signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In only 21 NBA games, Hall averaged 4.1 points per game, and shot 30% from the field. This past season he played for the Toronto Raptors G-League affiliate, the Raptors 905 team.

The 6’7″ wing has a good frame for the NBA, but like a lot of young players, could use to add some bulk on his frame. His 6’11” wingspan helps him on the defensive end to get into passing lanes, and get out on the break, where he is at his best. He’s a good shooter, with a smooth and quick shooting stroke. He’s also a decent playmaker for his size, helping create for himself and his teammates at times.

Hall is an example of a guy who just didn’t live up to the hype. But, still only 21 years old, he could make an impact on a number of NBA teams. The Cavaliers have struck out in their quest to find a good wing playmaker.

However, depending on how he plays in Vegas, he could make a real impact for the Cavaliers, who desperately need wings.

#2: Isaiah Mobley

The 6’10” 4/5 in Isaiah Mobley may have had to be the team’s 3rd center, but he’ll likely be a on a two-way deal, anyhow, and Mobley’s not likely to play many meaningful minutes after Cleveland’s Robin Lopez signing on Friday.

Regarding Isaiah, the elder Mobley averaged 14 points per game at USC during this past season, while also bringing down over eight rebounds a night. With a wingspan well over seven feet, he is a good rim protector, with some offensive upside.

The former USC big man is long just like his brother, and can do a lot of different things on the court. He has some quick-twitch ability, and he has a chance to be a high level shooter from the mid-range to the three-point line. Perfecting his shooting could be the key for him to becoming a regular in the Cavaliers rotation down the road.

With all this being said, Isaiah is not as elite a talent as Evan is. But, he definitely has a good chance to stick around with the Cavs for the beginning of his NBA career.

Summer League is really a great time to get a look at how the young players play together in the Cavalier system. After only managing to re-sign Rubio, and inking point guard Raul Neto to a small contract, the Cavs have really look to be done for the most part making free agency moves.

Cleveland’s Rubio move could reportedly end up being a sign-and-trade with the Indiana Pacers, though, so we’ll have to see how that affects them cap-wise, regarding Collin Sexton’s potential return.