Who projects as the Cavs’ second option this season?

Mobley could emerge as that second option-type

Of the two we mentioned there, though LeVert is similar in skill set to Sexton, and he can self-create via mid-range pull-ups, is a shifty driver and can make plays when getting downhill, I’d more so bank on Mobley to eventually be regularly that #2 option this season.

I could be wrong, sure, and whether Sexton or LeVert are more involved, and we’ll have to see on a LeVert extension, as an aside, a Year 2 offensive leap for Mobley could definitely be in the cards.

Even with lofty expectations seemingly into last season, based on what he demonstrated in other levels and in his one year at USC, Mobley exceeded those as a rookie. He looks to be a borderline-generational defensive player, with his versatility, shot blocking and IQ there, but on offense, he could be primed for a larger role and the shot creation flashes he showed last year were very encouraging for what’s to come.

Mobley, who had 15.0 points per game in 2021-22, had great touch as a finisher last season, and had impressive mid-range creation as the season wore on. And with his spacial awareness, post-up feel and playmaking vision, he finds ways to make things happen in gaps and out of the elbows.

He does need to show growth from deep, given the lack of three-point shooting displayed last season, and hesitation in the back half. He shot 25.0 percent from range as a rookie, and shot only 1.3 per game.

But after what’s seemingly been a productive offseason, his catch-and-shoot play should take strides this season, and he’s been working on getting his looks and quicker, and hopefully after a full offseason, that can look more fluid.

Now, in fairness, this could end up just being semantics, ultimately, in terms of the pecking order, and perhaps that’s somewhat matchup-dependent, as far as the second, third and maybe even fourth options here, with Lauri Markkanen.

Taking all the factors into account, though, next season, after such an encouraging rookie year, and with his playmaking presence factored in as well to counter it, my gut feeling currently is that we’ll see a second-year leap from Mobley, and he’ll be that #2 option for Cleveland.

We’ll have to see after this coming season, and if LeBron James comes back once again, for example, based on recent rumors/reports, things could recalibrate. Rest assured, Mobley is primed to be one of Cleveland’s top guns for the foreseeable future, and I’d imagine in Year 2, the Cavs will run offense more through him for stretches.