3 things you should watch for during Cavs preseason: No. 3 – Who can handle the rock as a depth PG?
As I mentioned earlier, Ricky Rubio is not expected to be back from injury any time soon, so the role of backup point guard might be wide open. Trading for Mitchell is a huge plus in this scenario, considering he can be a primary ball-handler if need be, and will reportedly be filling in some as a point guard for stretches. Even still, there are a couple of candidates.
Raul Neto is the first, who was a one-year, veteran’s minimum signing this offseason. Neto is not nearly the player of Rubio, but he can fill in until Rubio returns.
Neto did a decent job in a reserve role with the Washington Wizards the past two seasons, and can help Cleveland until Rubio is back. Can he be a viable offensive presence, though? Cleveland could use some of that from him in the season’s first half.
One of my favorites for the aforementioned third point guard role, meanwhile, is Sharife Cooper, who just recently signed a training camp contract with Cleveland. Last year while playing with the Atlanta Hawks, he didn’t show a lot of potential, but at the same time, the Cavaliers don’t have a ton of options at this point.
At Auburn he averaged over 20 points per game, while also dishing out eight assists per game. In no way is he the quickest or most explosive player, but he can score and shoot, which are very important characteristics in the NBA.
Outside of Cooper, Garland and Mitchell the Cavs don’t have a lot of candidates to make the final roster. Neto realistically will, but that’s not the most inspiring player for that, in my opinion.
Overall the Cavalier offeason was a success, considering they acquired a three-time All-Star without giving up any of Mobley, Allen and Garland. But, taking it all into account, now the pressure is on.
Something short of the playoffs would be a major disappointment, and there are high expectations this year.