Ranking 6 rumored Cavs center free agent targets from worst to best
No. 5: Dwight Powell, Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks big Dwight Powell has been a significant rotational player since he joined the Texas franchise. In short, Powell’s playstyle could match the Cavs’ needs, but his inconsistency gives reason for skepticism.
Powell’s three-point percentage has been a roller coaster year by year. In 2018-2019, Dwight Powell shot a total of 127 threes and made 39 of them for a three-point percentage of 30.7%. A year later, Powell only attempted 39 threes and only made 10 of them. This last season, Powell’s attempts dropped to five, missing all of them.
The Cavaliers simply would not know what player they are signing if they sign Dwight Powell to the Wine and Gold. While he has been a decent defender in his career, Powell has averaged only 4.5 rebounds in his career.
Realistically, Dwight Powell would help the Cavaliers maintain their current success, but he would not make the team any better than what they already are.
No. 4: Drew Eubanks, Portland Trail Blazers
In 78 games this year, Drew Eubanks scored 6.6 points per contest and grabbed 5.4 rebounds. At 26 years old, Eubanks has shown himself to be a valuable role player, though he still would not be the ideal stretch five in Cleveland.
The pros of Eubanks is that he’s relatively efficient. According to Cleaning The Glass (subscription required), Eubanks ranked in the 89th percentile in eFG% for his position last year. His 41.2% three point percentage landed him in the 92nd percentile, albeit on only 0.2 attempts per game.
As for the cons, the lack of three-point attempts and scoring is glaring. While the Cavaliers do not absolutely need a sharpshooting big, any type of long range scoring threat drastically improves a free agent’s value to the team. Watching throughout the regular season and the playoffs, the Cavaliers clearly need to force teams to respect them more from behind the arc. The front office might expect that improvement to come mostly from a wing player, but a three-point shooting center is equally as useful.
Additionally, Drew Eubanks is a poor free throw shooter. At 66.4% last year, Eubanks could not be a realistic option to play in close game scenarios. Teams would likely be free to foul Eubanks with little to no consequence.
Defensively, Eubanks averaged 1.3 blocks per game with a defensive rating of 115. Though slightly below average, Eubanks is a serviceable defensive big with a decent offensive game. He would not be the ultimate savior of each and every one of Cleveland’s woes, but he would be a useful rotational piece.