3 Cavaliers players who definitely shouldn’t be back next season

Robin Lopez shouldn’t be back next season

The Cleveland Cavaliers looked like they had an embarrassment of riches at the center position this season. Yet by the end of the year, with Kevin Love waived and playing in Miami and J.B. Bickerstaff not trusting his backup power forwards enough to slide Evan Mobley to center for long stretches, suddenly the depth at the pivot looked like a mirage.

That’s in large part because Robin Lopez, once a luxury as the team’s fourth-string center, was suddenly ineffective as the backup behind Jarrett Allen. His scoop shot remains a weapon, but Lopez was lost defending in space and not enough of a deterrent at the rim outside of being a large body.

Anytime this season that Jarrett Allen missed time, the Cavs saw a gigantic drop-off and usually lost the game. Lopez should be a similar player to Allen and a good stylistic pick to fit in as his backup, but he can’t execute like Allen on either side of the court.

Lopez was signed for the minimum and will be a free agent this summer. Nothing Lopez did this season demands his return, and it’s unlikely he would play much next season. The Cavs need to move on and find a backup who can be a credible rim protector – easier said than done.