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.
Reason No. 1 – Washington would maintain Cleveland’s defensive integrity
Since Allen’s arrival in Cleveland from Brooklyn, he has been their defensive anchor inside. His efforts culminated as the Cavaliers secured the top defense across the league throughout the majority of the 2022-23 season.
If Allen is on the way out, a one-way offensive power forward simply does not cut it. Mobley is a defense stalwart, and he plays best next to another competent defender.
Admittedly, P.J. Washington is not the same level of interior defender that Allen has been, but Washington is competent and versatile.
On shots within 10 feet of the basket, players defended by Washington scored 56 percent of the time, achieving a -3.8 percent differential from the average field goal rate of those opponents, per NBA.com stat tracking. On the other hand, players defended by Allen within 10 feet shot 54.5 percent with a -5.8 differential.
When defending perimeter shots, though, the Charlotte forward forced a -3.1 percent differential with an opponent 3-point percentage of only 32.9. Allen had a 0.7 improvement on defending 3-point shot attempts, meaning that when a competent shooter was guarded by JA, they shot slightly better than their average.
This is not to discount Allen in any way, as his mere presence in the paint deters a high volume of shot attempts. This only highlights that while Allen is superior at his specialty, Washington’s switchability matches the needs for Cleveland’s defense if Mobley is at center.
For Mobley, switching from the interior to the perimeter was one of his best qualities; he defended the most 3-point attempts of any player in the NBA last season. If he moves to the center position, adding a defender who can have a similar level of versatility allows the Cavaliers to continue their defensive dominance, trusting both frontcourt players in almost any scenario.
As a team with a heavy defensive identity at its core, Washington’s fit is a definitive plus, but his offensive contributions make him even more valuable to Cleveland.
Reason No. 2 – Washington elevates Cleveland’s offense
No matter how good a team can be from behind the arc, losing confidence from deep almost guarantees a loss. This is one area in which Strus, Niang, and Jerome all help the Cavaliers. Going forward, any additions in Cleveland need to pose a threat from three.
Over his four-year career, Washington has a 36.6 percent 3-point percentage on 4.8 attempts per game. He is not a career volume shooter, but he keeps defenses honest. Signing Niang was a clear sign that the Cavaliers want their frontcourt to have at least one long range threat when Evan Mobley is the primary playmaker in that area. Washington gives them another stretch big.
Last season, Washington averaged a career-high 15.7 points per game combined with 2.4 assists. His offense goes beyond a 3-point shooter, as his athleticism as an undersized four gives him an advantage against a number of slower frontcourt rivals.
Washington’s averages are not going to earn him an All-Star appearance next season, but his consistent production is a serious boost for a Cleveland offense that often grew stagnant as games carried on. He plays with energy, slashing to the basket and finding open jumpers.
He can play within a system and at 24 years old is young enough to mold himself to fit what Cleveland needs. Each season Washington shows growth in his game mentally and physically, and he would certainly continue this in a winning culture.
Although Washington might be an ideal teammate next to Mobley, is he really worth potentially losing Allen? As a high-end role player, Washington’s acquisition cost might be a surprise.
Reason No. 3 – Can’t Cleveland have it all?
When the Cavaliers added Max Strus, a player fresh off a run as a starter in the NBA Finals, Cleveland only lost fringe rotational players in Cedi Osman and Lamar Stevens alongside a few second-round picks.
For a player of Strus’ caliber, that kind of trade package is absolutely below what his typical market value would project to be. Miami only received a single second-round pick, as well, sending the rest of the assets to the San Antonio Spurs. In reality, the Heat wanted to shed Strus’ salary in lieu of the second tax apron in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The Hornets are far from living in fear of the CBA’s harsh new rules, but they are not far from a similar mindset with Washington’s future. They have his Bird Rights, meaning they can offer him a larger contract than most other teams. If Charlotte was willing to spend the money for P.J. Washington, there’s no reason not to have done it.
In truth, the Hornets are a rebuilding team searching for their long term core. Their other remaining free agent, Kelly Oubre Jr., is still in wait for a deal as well. Charlotte’s focus does not seem to be on retaining either player and instead on stockpiling cap space for the future.
With this in mind, the Cavaliers are in a prime position to sign-and-trade for Washington for a similar haul as Strus. They still have a stash of second-round picks, and the new additions filling up Cleveland’s rotation could leave other Cavs available for a deal.
Sending Ricky Rubio alongside possibly Dean Wade and Sam Merrill could be enough to get the deal done, assuming the Cavs are willing to part ways with all three players. Wade is likely still going to receive rotation minutes, and Rubio is at least in contention. But, Washington is simply worth the heartbreak.
Adding Washington without losing Allen only bolsters Cleveland’s future potential. Perhaps Washington’s size makes him more useful at the small forward position. In that case, Allen is still possible as the trade centerpiece for a different power forward. If Washington is the right call, then there is no urgent need to trade Allen until the right option emerges.
In any scenario, P.J. Washington in Cleveland is one final splash for free agency the front office should heavily consider.