3 players worthy of Cleveland Cavaliers final roster spots
Isaiah Mobley is proving himself to the Cavaliers
Selecting Isaiah Mobley late in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft seemed like nothing more than a favor for his brother Evan, at least at the time. His play in the Summer League this year is proving that perspective wrong.
At 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, the older Mobley brother has evolved his game since last season as a passing big with defensive talents. Mobley is averaging 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game thus far in Summer League. This is a dramatic improvement from last summer when Isaiah averaged only 8.8 points and 3 assists in five matchups in Vegas.
Once again, Summer League is not a definitive display of a player’s best qualities. Though Isaiah Mobley has been a strong defender so far, keeping this same productivity against NBA-level talent is an entirely separate situation.
In his few 12 games played last season for the Cavaliers during the regular season, Isaiah Mobley was still a useful player. He never had a chance to play meaningful minutes, but he seemed comfortable in an NBA environment.
Similar to Craig Porter Jr., the older Mobley is on a two-way contract this season. If he can continue his productivity and improvement this season, then the Cavaliers might have a hidden gem in their hands.
As a playmaking big, Mobley is showcasing a unique and valuable skill set. Off the bench with the Cavs, his presence would help maintain a fluid and flexible offense for Cleveland. His playstyle could make use of Strus as a motion shooter, getting more value out of the Cavaliers’ moves in free agency.
Additionally, signing Mobley to a full deal allows the Cavaliers to offer a two-way contract to another member of their Vegas roster, such as Luke Travers or Pete Nance.
Only time will tell what the Cavaliers eventually do with their final roster spots. Their past suggests that their G League roster will be a realistic area for their front office to find talent.
Next. Offseason Report Card: Cavaliers get an A, three Bs and two Ds for summer moves. dark
Whatever the Cavs do this season, their new look has them ready to Let ‘Em Know.