3 Cavaliers who have impressed in first 2 preseason games

With under two weeks before the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Oct. 25 season opener on the road against the Brooklyn Nets, the Cavs have started their preseason action with two close losses against the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic.

Thus far, Cleveland has used this time to begin navigating the new additions to the squad and experimenting with new lineups in the wake of Jarrett Allen’s early injury. While a 0-2 start in the preseason is underwhelming, the Cavaliers are already showing signs of significant improvement from last season in terms of pacing and confidence on the perimeter.

Last year, the Cavs averaged 31.6 3-point attempts per game, placing them 24th in the Association in attempts. This lack of confidence and lethality cost them in the playoffs, and the offseason additions of Max Strus, Georges Niang and Ty Jerome were heavily influenced by this undeniable need for improved 3-point strength.

In the first two preseason games, the Cavs have attempted an average of 46 long range shots. The offense has had more off-ball movement, as well, thanks to the efforts of Max Strus to find his opening. The improved floor spacing is already showing its value, forcing defenses to spread out rather than clutter the paint.

While Cleveland has lost these first two matches, there are highlights that hint to the kinds of changes the front office and coaching staff envisioned with their moves this summer. While Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell have started the preseason sluggish, the pieces added around them to help space the floor are clearly fitting the team’s needs thus far.

Additionally, the starters for the Cavaliers have played fairly limited minutes per game, ensuring the team is at full strength at the start of the season as long as Jarrett Allen returns quickly. In the mean time Cleveland’s bench and two-way players have seen improved opportunities to make their case for a bigger role in the regular season.

We’ll begin with a bench contributor who started out hot against Atlanta.

Isaac Okoro’s role in Cleveland was reportedly diminished after the Cavs completed their sign-and-trade for Max Strus, moving Okoro from the starting five to the second unit. While Okoro has always been a strong wing defender, his disappointing offensive growth has led to a number of frustrating memories for the Cavaliers faithful.

In the preseason, Okoro has come off the bench and embraced the role as a spark plug and defensive stalwart. In the first game against the Hawks, Okoro played 21 minutes and scored 19 points. He also showed better confidence from behind the arc, knocking down two of his four 3-point attempts. Okoro had the best plus/minus rating on the entire roster with a +14 by the time the game ended.

Though he struggled mightily in the second game versus Orlando, Okoro’s game one performance was a welcome surprise to begin the preseason. The overall construction of the new-look Cavaliers has opened up the court more for Okoro, no longer relegating him to standing in the corner on offense and launching up last second 3-point attempts when the team cannot find any other openings.

Consistency will be the determining piece for Okoro, as his impending contract extension discussions with Cleveland loom over this season for the young wing. Given his shaky career beginnings, an improved effort and production this season would be an incredible boost for his future both with the Cavaliers and across the NBA.

While Max Strus and Georges Niang were the highlights of the Cavaliers’ offseason, Ty Jerome’s two-year deal went under the radar as another potential difference-maker coming to Northeast Ohio.

Jerome offers the Cavaliers another shooter in the backcourt as well as a taller guard to fill minutes when Garland and Mitchell need rest. The former Golden State Warrior has not filled the box score in the preseason, but he has been a positive impact in both games, averaging 4.5 assists and 7 points in only 33 total minutes through the first two contests.

The eye-catching stat for Jerome is his assists, as his career average of 2.6 assists per game would not suggest he has the potential to be an offensive coordinator for the Cavaliers. But, with Ricky Rubio still amicably away from the team to focus on his mental health and family life, the potential for Jerome to slot into the backup point guard role is beginning to seem possible.

The Cavs would not look for Jerome to lead the backup unit often, as one of Garland or Mitchell will likely be on the court with Jerome for the vast majority of the regular season. Having Jerome as an option to lead the offense when needed only adds another layer to Cleveland’s improved depth after this offseason.

There is no certainty that Jerome will be in the Cavaliers’ opening night rotation, but his work in the preseason should earn him a chance toward that reality.

Since Emoni Bates’ fall from grace as a former top prospect in the 2023 NBA Draft down to a late second-round selection for the Cavs, the young forward has seemingly focused his energy toward silencing the doubters.

In Las Vegas Summer League, Bates showed steady improvement through every game, eventually becoming one of the Cavaliers’ best offensive weapons as the team won the Summer League tournament for the first time in franchise history.

In training camp, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and the rest of the Cavaliers organization praised Bates’ work ethic and improvement, leading to speculation toward a bigger role for the polarizing rookie this season. Not only has Bates’ shot selection improved, he has reportedly begun training heavily on the defensive end for the first time in his career.

Bates’ work to refine his game has shown in the preseason, as his confidence and talent has wowed onlookers. Against the Hawks, Bates scored 10 points and shot two-of-five from three-point range, including a clutch dagger in the closing moments as Bates attempted to will the Cavaliers to the win.

Unfortunately, the Hawks won with a final and-one play conversion, but Bates’ quick release and fearlessness has made for a terrific storyline in the preseason. In the second game against the Magic, Bates scored 12 points in 12 minutes, shooting a strong three-of-six from deep.

While these games are “just preseason” games, the consistent improvement and confidence Bates displays lends credence to the idea that his basketball career is only beginning. In time (maybe sooner than expected), Bates could be one of Cleveland’s go-to options at the forward spot, especially if Bates can commit on defense. Standing at 6-foot-9 and having unrelenting athleticism, Bates has all the makings of a solid defender for the Cavaliers.

In the end, Bates’ future is in his hands right now, and he may have found the perfect home to nurture his talents in Cleveland, as the depth on the roster will not force Bates to become an instant hero for the team. But, his skillset and physical build will be highly appreciated by the Cavs if he can hone his talents and maximize his value going forward.