After a shameful conclusion in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers had major changes needed to be made. Those changes, for the most part, were made. While many competitors in their division and conference made minimal changes, the Cavs had one of the best offseasons across the Association.
Cleveland first re-signed Caris LeVert, followed by adding Georges Niang on a 3-year, $25 million contract. The headlining move was Cleveland’s sign-and-trade to acquire Miami’s starting wing throughout the playoffs, 27-year-old Max Strus.
Both Ty Jerome and Damian Jones also joined Cleveland’s ranks, bringing four new faces to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Outside of Strus and Niang, it is uncertain how often Jerome or Jones will be in the nightly rotation, but they’re definite possibilities.
While this offseason has been outstanding, the work is not done. One looming question haunts Cleveland’s future, and that is the long term fit for Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the post. In Koby Altman’s mid-free agency media availability, he insisted that Mobley will not only be a playmaker in the Cavs offense this season, but Mobley will also play heavy minutes at the five spot.
There is no doubt that Jarrett Allen is more than a bench player. Though he would likely be happy to fulfill that role for some time, his skill set is far too valuable to leave the starting unit of any team permanently.
That leaves many in Believeland expecting a Jarrett Allen trade to land a power forward to build around Mobley.
One player in particular may fit that bill: P.J. Washington of the Charlotte Hornets, a player who has been linked to the Cavaliers as a possible target. Admittedly, Washington’s 6-foot-7 stature might suggest he is better suited at the three spot, but he has consistently played at the power forward position throughout his career and is steadily improving in this role.
Currently, Washington sits in restricted free agency while seemingly every team is filling their roster. There is little money left to offer any player, meaning Washington will likely end up back with a team in Charlotte that has shown little interest in him this summer unless a sign-and-trade comes around.
Although the Cavaliers have already completed a sign-and-trade this offseason, a fairly rare sighting, these are three reasons why one more sign-and-trade is worth it.