Where do the Cleveland Cavaliers go from here after losing to the Knicks?
Trading and signing for depth
It does not take long for an observant fan to recognize that the Cavaliers lacked any consistent rotational depth, especially at the wing position. At this year’s trade deadline, Cleveland remained silent and chose to put faith in their current roster. After the disappointing exit early in the postseason, Cleveland is likely to begin considering trades to fill out the rotation, one would assume.
Although the Cavaliers have found much of their success through homegrown talent thus far, a trade such as the Donovan Mitchell trade signifies a change in mindset, one that suggests trades and spending to win sooner rather than later. In this case, the truth is that beloved Cavaliers will need to don a new jersey next season to take the next step. There are only so many roster spots, and teams will not surrender valuable talent without something in return.
As of now it is uncertain who may be on the trading block, but Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, and Evan Mobley are likely to be the only truly untouchable players. Additionally, Caris LeVert seems highly likely to return, considering the Cavs will be able to offer him the most money this summer in his unrestricted free agency due to Bird Rights.
A full overhaul of the other roster spots should not be the expectation, but city favorites Isaac Okoro, Jarrett Allen, and Ricky Rubio may be in many rumors going forward along with the likes of Dean Wade and Sam Merrill.
With roughly $12.8 million to spend this offseason outside of their own free agents, the Cavaliers will need to improve mostly through trades rather than signing a whole new bench.
For trade targets for Cleveland, wing depth and a backup big are most likely. Looking at the trade market and free agent market, some rumors have already sprung that could favor the Cavaliers if they are expeditious in their attempts.
At 6-foot 8-inches, Dorian Finney-Smith brings size along with shooting and defense, making him an ideal choice if Altman chooses to make a call to Brooklyn. The issue arises in Finney-Smith’s salary, being owed nearly $20 million dollars next season. The Cavaliers would have to package multiple players (and probably a pile of second-round picks) including Okoro and Rubio to match the contracts.
Staying with Brooklyn, Donovan Mitchell’s former Utah teammate Royce O’Neale is another possible target, but he is still an undersized wing at 6-foot 4-inches, nearly the same height as Okoro. Malik Beasley, Norman Powell, Gary Trent, Jr., and Jalen McDaniels are all potential options, seemingly from there.
McDaniels is going into free agency after playing in Philadelphia this season, and at 6-foot 9-inches, he could be a young difference-maker for this Cleveland roster.
Looking at cheaper options, Boston’s Sam Hauser and Golden State’s Moses Moody are two tall wings who are looking to solidify a spot in a team’s rotation, and in Moody’s case, has 3-and-D capabilities if given the opportunity. Assuming the Cavaliers can keep Okoro in trades for either player, taking a chance on unproven potential could serve to be a gamble worth taking.
In short, there are a lot of calls to make.
As for a backup center, there are numerous upcoming free agents that could fit the bill. Minnesota’s Naz Reid, Toronto’s Jakob Poeltl, Denver’s Thomas Bryant, and Clippers’ center Mason Plumlee are all unrestricted free agents this summer. Additionally, former Cavalier Tristan Thompson will be on the market along with DeMarcus Cousins and potentially Dwight Howard.
The Cavaliers need somebody to grab rebounds, bully smaller defenders, and give the team the grit they missed so sorely against more physical teams.
All these choices are entirely speculative, but the Cavs have no excuse not to be aggressive in efforts to improve their bench rotation and find consistency at the starting forward spot.