Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2022 3:03 pm
Very unique team with bigs like Mobley, Allen and even Markkanen all being really big and playing major roles. Add Kevin Love in as the smallest of the bigs.
Cleveland Sports Forum
A permanent home for World Crossing and ABJ forum refugees.
http://clevelandsportsforum.net/
Cleveland Cavaliers
Page 219 of 235
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2022 3:49 pm
and of course now we lose Allen for [how long?]. Anyway this season has been successful in establishing the quality of the team, and developing the key players. We move on to what should be better things. Although I guess the Knicks thought the same last year, I think the core of this roster is very projectible.
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2022 2:50 pm
Evan Mobley has ‘talent to beat people in this league,’ opposing coaches, players weigh in on the Cavs rookie: Mobley Mondays
Kelsey Russo 3h ago 4
Welcome to the latest edition of Mobley Mondays!
Throughout Evan Mobley’s rookie season, he’s figured out multiple ways to have a nightly impact for the Cleveland Cavaliers. That’s continued through this recent stretch to the regular-season finish line, where Mobley has started and played more minutes at center with Jarrett Allen out with a finger fracture.
For this installment, The Athletic asked a handful of opposing coaches – and a few players – about what has stood out to them about the Cavaliers rookie.
Let’s dive in.
When Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey first saw Mobley at one of the pre-draft workouts last July, he took note of the 7-foot prospect and saw room for improvement in his skill set. Three weeks later, ahead of the 2021 NBA Draft, Casey saw Mobley again. This time, he noticed a significant jump in his progression.
“He was off the charts,” Casey remembered of Mobley.
Ultimately, the Pistons selected Cade Cunningham as the No.1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, but throughout the 2021-22 NBA season, Casey and the Pistons have seen Mobley and the Cavs on four occasions. Casey has taken note of Mobley’s progression, calling his skill level “like day and night” from the first time he saw him in the pre-draft process until now.
“One is how cool he is under pressure; he doesn’t get rattled, he doesn’t get sped up in a game,” Casey said on what stands out about Mobley. “Everything is easy for him. He’s fundamentally sound. You definitely can tell he’s a coach’s son that’s been around the game.”
In the Cavs 113-109 win over the Pistons on Saturday, Mobley’s multifaceted skill set was on full display. He got a post-up and scored early in the game. He blocked shots. He had another post-up in the fourth quarter and passed the ball to Isaac Okoro, who finished with the dunk. Mobley also had a face-up on a mismatch, drove to the basket and finished at the rim. Then, on the next possession, he ripped the ball away and got the steal, sealing the victory for Cleveland.
With just two weeks left in the regular season and 11 games remaining for the Cavaliers, Mobley has seen all 30 NBA teams. He’s faced up against some of the top frontcourt players around the league and grown in his understanding of the Cavs’ system and the league as a whole.
“He’s playing really good in that pocket,” Nuggets star Nikola Jokić said following Cleveland’s 119-116 overtime win over Denver on Friday. “He’s attacking the basket. He’s athletic. He’s a big guy. You know, I think he is, this is still his first year, so he’s gonna learn (Joker gives an example — ‘Oh this guy comes here, how this guy is going to come help here, here). So, I think that’s gonna help him a lot, just one year to know like different matchups, different teams, different coverages. So that’s gonna help him a lot, of course, but he has a talent. He has the talent to beat people in this league, and as long as he develops and tries to be better every day. I think he can be a really good player, a great player in this league.”
During the Cavs-Nuggets matchup on March 18, Mobley once again started at center and guarded the reigning MVP, then had to work around him on the offensive end to get to the basket. Jokić noted how Mobley used his length and athleticism near the basket. When he was in the paint near the basket, Mobley used the length of his body for spacing.
With scoring plays like a dunk off a lob from Darius Garland, a layup off a pass from Caris LeVert as Mobley cut to the basket and a made free throw, Mobley scored nine of the Cavs’ 12 points in the overtime period to beat the Nuggets.
“I really want to see how he’s going to be in the future. I think it can be a really good one,” Jokić said.
Evan Mobley drives to the basket against the Denver Nuggets on March 18. (Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)
Opposing coaches have also had to scout and plan for Mobley when they face the Cavs because he’s had a significant impact throughout his rookie season on both ends of the floor.
Mobley is averaging 15.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He’s shooting 50.5 percent from the field and just 25 percent from 3. He’s also averaging 1.7 blocks per game. Mobley is third in the league in contested shots per game, averaging 12.4, while also averaging just 2.2 fouls per game.
“He’s changed their defensive system, Jarrett Allen as well,” Hornets head coach James Borrego said. “He’s got great instincts. He just has that. You can’t teach that; he’s just had it, wherever you got it from. Back playing as a young player and obviously USC, he’s got a knack to just impact the rim, make plays, deflect balls, block shots, be in the right places. Timing is at a high level for a very young kid. So you got to account for him.”
“He is a heck of a talent.” Borrego continued. “He’s much better than I anticipated. And you can see his growth from when we were here, what game one or two? … You can see his progression quickly. His confidence is growing at an extremely fast rate. The talent is matching up. So, special kid, special player.”
After recording 12 points and 11 rebounds against the Pistons on Saturday, Mobley became the sixth player in Cavs history to record 20 double-doubles in their rookie season. He joined Cavs’ Zydrunas Ilgauskas (35 in ’97-98), Brad Daugherty (28 in ’86-87), Hot Rod Williams (24 in ’86-87), Carlos Boozer (21 in ’02-03), Bill Laimbeer (20 in ’80-81).
Despite the individual accolades in Cavs’ history or the NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors in October and November, Mobley’s focus has been on what he can do to help the Cavs win games.
“I mean, I love his competitiveness,” Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said. “He might be young; he might still be a little light — but that’s not to be confused with soft; he’s definitely not soft. He plays tough. He battles you. He seems to have really good off instincts, certainly defensively. He unfolds. He’s super long. And offensively, he’s got a nice touch, and you can see a ton of upside there as well to develop.”
Over the course of his rookie season, Mobley has put the league on notice of how effective he’s been early in his career. But it’s not only the coaches he’s wowed.
“He’s a guy that I feel like he’s figuring things out quickly with his size, his athleticism and skill set,” Bucks forward Khris Middleton said during All-Star Weekend. “A guy that can do a lot of things on both sides, especially defensively. So, he’s a guy that it’s gonna be a problem, for us, I feel like for years to come, which I think we’re all excited about.”
The Cavs’ coaching staff, and Mobley’s teammates, haven’t been surprised by his success throughout the season. Isaac Okoro said Mobley has impressed him all season, seeing how he is improving as each game passes. J.B. Bickerstaff said he learned early on what made Mobley tick, as he saw his demeanor and approach to the game, and quickly earned Bickerstaff’s trust as a coach.
“Evan, almost immediately, when you watched him play pick-up early in September, when you watched him go through preseason, there was a stability there that you don’t typically see in rookies, and I began to trust him almost immediately,” Bickerstaff said.
There’s no denying the addition of Mobley has helped the Cavs take a leap forward in their rebuild. The growth of Darius Garland, re-signing Jarrett Allen to a five-year contract, and the buy-in of Kevin Love in the sixth-man role are all important factors in their rise as well. The collective belief in their identity and genuine chemistry has set them apart. It’s why the Cavs sit sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 41-30 record and are fighting to remain control of their destiny in the playoff picture.
Mobley’s impressive rookie season and continued projection of growth not only helps the Cavs be in the position they are in but sets them up for sustained success in the future. They found their guy in Mobley.
“I say all the time, he’s our Rookie of the Year in the NBA,” Garland said following the Cavs’ overtime win over the Nuggets. “I think it’s easy if you watch Cavaliers basketball, in my opinion. And I mean, this is the guy right here, he does everything for us. Defensive-wise, offensive-wise. Seven-foot unicorn. I mean, he can do everything. So happy to have him on my team.”
Kelsey Russo 3h ago 4
Welcome to the latest edition of Mobley Mondays!
Throughout Evan Mobley’s rookie season, he’s figured out multiple ways to have a nightly impact for the Cleveland Cavaliers. That’s continued through this recent stretch to the regular-season finish line, where Mobley has started and played more minutes at center with Jarrett Allen out with a finger fracture.
For this installment, The Athletic asked a handful of opposing coaches – and a few players – about what has stood out to them about the Cavaliers rookie.
Let’s dive in.
When Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey first saw Mobley at one of the pre-draft workouts last July, he took note of the 7-foot prospect and saw room for improvement in his skill set. Three weeks later, ahead of the 2021 NBA Draft, Casey saw Mobley again. This time, he noticed a significant jump in his progression.
“He was off the charts,” Casey remembered of Mobley.
Ultimately, the Pistons selected Cade Cunningham as the No.1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, but throughout the 2021-22 NBA season, Casey and the Pistons have seen Mobley and the Cavs on four occasions. Casey has taken note of Mobley’s progression, calling his skill level “like day and night” from the first time he saw him in the pre-draft process until now.
“One is how cool he is under pressure; he doesn’t get rattled, he doesn’t get sped up in a game,” Casey said on what stands out about Mobley. “Everything is easy for him. He’s fundamentally sound. You definitely can tell he’s a coach’s son that’s been around the game.”
In the Cavs 113-109 win over the Pistons on Saturday, Mobley’s multifaceted skill set was on full display. He got a post-up and scored early in the game. He blocked shots. He had another post-up in the fourth quarter and passed the ball to Isaac Okoro, who finished with the dunk. Mobley also had a face-up on a mismatch, drove to the basket and finished at the rim. Then, on the next possession, he ripped the ball away and got the steal, sealing the victory for Cleveland.
With just two weeks left in the regular season and 11 games remaining for the Cavaliers, Mobley has seen all 30 NBA teams. He’s faced up against some of the top frontcourt players around the league and grown in his understanding of the Cavs’ system and the league as a whole.
“He’s playing really good in that pocket,” Nuggets star Nikola Jokić said following Cleveland’s 119-116 overtime win over Denver on Friday. “He’s attacking the basket. He’s athletic. He’s a big guy. You know, I think he is, this is still his first year, so he’s gonna learn (Joker gives an example — ‘Oh this guy comes here, how this guy is going to come help here, here). So, I think that’s gonna help him a lot, just one year to know like different matchups, different teams, different coverages. So that’s gonna help him a lot, of course, but he has a talent. He has the talent to beat people in this league, and as long as he develops and tries to be better every day. I think he can be a really good player, a great player in this league.”
During the Cavs-Nuggets matchup on March 18, Mobley once again started at center and guarded the reigning MVP, then had to work around him on the offensive end to get to the basket. Jokić noted how Mobley used his length and athleticism near the basket. When he was in the paint near the basket, Mobley used the length of his body for spacing.
With scoring plays like a dunk off a lob from Darius Garland, a layup off a pass from Caris LeVert as Mobley cut to the basket and a made free throw, Mobley scored nine of the Cavs’ 12 points in the overtime period to beat the Nuggets.
“I really want to see how he’s going to be in the future. I think it can be a really good one,” Jokić said.
Evan Mobley drives to the basket against the Denver Nuggets on March 18. (Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)
Opposing coaches have also had to scout and plan for Mobley when they face the Cavs because he’s had a significant impact throughout his rookie season on both ends of the floor.
Mobley is averaging 15.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He’s shooting 50.5 percent from the field and just 25 percent from 3. He’s also averaging 1.7 blocks per game. Mobley is third in the league in contested shots per game, averaging 12.4, while also averaging just 2.2 fouls per game.
“He’s changed their defensive system, Jarrett Allen as well,” Hornets head coach James Borrego said. “He’s got great instincts. He just has that. You can’t teach that; he’s just had it, wherever you got it from. Back playing as a young player and obviously USC, he’s got a knack to just impact the rim, make plays, deflect balls, block shots, be in the right places. Timing is at a high level for a very young kid. So you got to account for him.”
“He is a heck of a talent.” Borrego continued. “He’s much better than I anticipated. And you can see his growth from when we were here, what game one or two? … You can see his progression quickly. His confidence is growing at an extremely fast rate. The talent is matching up. So, special kid, special player.”
After recording 12 points and 11 rebounds against the Pistons on Saturday, Mobley became the sixth player in Cavs history to record 20 double-doubles in their rookie season. He joined Cavs’ Zydrunas Ilgauskas (35 in ’97-98), Brad Daugherty (28 in ’86-87), Hot Rod Williams (24 in ’86-87), Carlos Boozer (21 in ’02-03), Bill Laimbeer (20 in ’80-81).
Despite the individual accolades in Cavs’ history or the NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors in October and November, Mobley’s focus has been on what he can do to help the Cavs win games.
“I mean, I love his competitiveness,” Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said. “He might be young; he might still be a little light — but that’s not to be confused with soft; he’s definitely not soft. He plays tough. He battles you. He seems to have really good off instincts, certainly defensively. He unfolds. He’s super long. And offensively, he’s got a nice touch, and you can see a ton of upside there as well to develop.”
Over the course of his rookie season, Mobley has put the league on notice of how effective he’s been early in his career. But it’s not only the coaches he’s wowed.
“He’s a guy that I feel like he’s figuring things out quickly with his size, his athleticism and skill set,” Bucks forward Khris Middleton said during All-Star Weekend. “A guy that can do a lot of things on both sides, especially defensively. So, he’s a guy that it’s gonna be a problem, for us, I feel like for years to come, which I think we’re all excited about.”
The Cavs’ coaching staff, and Mobley’s teammates, haven’t been surprised by his success throughout the season. Isaac Okoro said Mobley has impressed him all season, seeing how he is improving as each game passes. J.B. Bickerstaff said he learned early on what made Mobley tick, as he saw his demeanor and approach to the game, and quickly earned Bickerstaff’s trust as a coach.
“Evan, almost immediately, when you watched him play pick-up early in September, when you watched him go through preseason, there was a stability there that you don’t typically see in rookies, and I began to trust him almost immediately,” Bickerstaff said.
There’s no denying the addition of Mobley has helped the Cavs take a leap forward in their rebuild. The growth of Darius Garland, re-signing Jarrett Allen to a five-year contract, and the buy-in of Kevin Love in the sixth-man role are all important factors in their rise as well. The collective belief in their identity and genuine chemistry has set them apart. It’s why the Cavs sit sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 41-30 record and are fighting to remain control of their destiny in the playoff picture.
Mobley’s impressive rookie season and continued projection of growth not only helps the Cavs be in the position they are in but sets them up for sustained success in the future. They found their guy in Mobley.
“I say all the time, he’s our Rookie of the Year in the NBA,” Garland said following the Cavs’ overtime win over the Nuggets. “I think it’s easy if you watch Cavaliers basketball, in my opinion. And I mean, this is the guy right here, he does everything for us. Defensive-wise, offensive-wise. Seven-foot unicorn. I mean, he can do everything. So happy to have him on my team.”
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2022 5:29 pm
Mobley, Allen, Garland our own Big Three we can watch develop into a true contender.
and they have a nice supporting cast already, too, most of whom also are young enough that they can be projected to improve
and they have a nice supporting cast already, too, most of whom also are young enough that they can be projected to improve
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2022 5:01 pm
Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen will attempt to play vs. Hawks Friday: Source
By Shams Charania
April 14, 2022Updated 4:49 PM EDT
Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen will attempt to play vs. Hawks Friday: Source. Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Jarrett Allen will attempt to play in the team's Play-In Tournament game against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, a source told The Athletic
Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Jarrett Allen will attempt to play in the team's Play-In Tournament game against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, a source told The Athletic Thursday. Allen, who has been out since March 6 due to a fractured finger, is listed as questionable on Cleveland's injury report.
By Shams Charania
April 14, 2022Updated 4:49 PM EDT
Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen will attempt to play vs. Hawks Friday: Source. Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Jarrett Allen will attempt to play in the team's Play-In Tournament game against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, a source told The Athletic
Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Jarrett Allen will attempt to play in the team's Play-In Tournament game against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, a source told The Athletic Thursday. Allen, who has been out since March 6 due to a fractured finger, is listed as questionable on Cleveland's injury report.
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2022 3:39 pm
Adrian Wojnarowski
@wojespn
The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired Donovan Mitchell in a trade, sources tell ESPN.
3:33 PM · Sep 1, 2022·Twitter for iPhone
@wojespn
The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired Donovan Mitchell in a trade, sources tell ESPN.
3:33 PM · Sep 1, 2022·Twitter for iPhone
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2022 3:44 pm
Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
·
2m
Sources: The Cleveland Cavaliers are trading Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, three first-round picks and two pick swaps to the Utah Jazz for Donovan Mitchell.
@ShamsCharania
·
2m
Sources: The Cleveland Cavaliers are trading Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, three first-round picks and two pick swaps to the Utah Jazz for Donovan Mitchell.
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2022 8:38 am
Wow Russ I am blown away by this for the Cavs!
Biggest issue last year was scoring. Especially when Garland sat. SOLVED!
Biggest issue last year was scoring. Especially when Garland sat. SOLVED!
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2022 8:39 am
What to know about the Jazz-Cavs trade for Donovan Mitchell
Jan 12, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) in the third quarter at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
By Mike Prada
Sep 1, 2022
94
Save Article
The Cleveland Cavaliers are acquiring guard Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz, sources told The Athletic’s Shams Charania on Thursday, ending months of speculation about the three-time All-Star’s future.
They sent the Jazz a haul in return: Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, three first-round picks and two pick swaps.
The deal could help Cleveland make the playoffs for the first time since LeBron James’ departure four years ago and accelerates Utah’s rebuild. It also has implications for the New York Knicks, who had been engaged in trade talks for Mitchell this summer.
How the trade came together, and what the future looks like in Cleveland and Utah:
How did Cleveland get in a position to make this trade?
It sure happened fast, didn’t it?
Little was expected of the Cavaliers at this time last season. They had finished near the bottom of the Eastern Conference for three straight seasons following James’ (second) departure, and were not expected to do much better in 2021-22. Their preseason over/under was 26.5 wins, according to BetMGM.
But the Cavaliers emerged as one of the NBA’s biggest surprises last season, racing to one of the best records in the Eastern Conference by January. Led by the young trio of high-scoring guard Darius Garland, shot-blocking center Jarrett Allen and do-everything defender Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers relied on a stifling defense and just enough offense to get by. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff successfully experimented with a giant frontcourt of seven-footers Allen, Mobley and Lauri Markkanen, going against the grain of the current NBA trend of playing small and spreading the floor with shooters.
A slew of late-season injuries slowed Cleveland’s momentum, relegating them to the Play-In Tournament. But Cleveland’s surprising season, along with its combination of high-upside youth and tactical ingenuity, put the franchise back on the NBA map while emboldening it to make an all-in move for Mitchell.
(Photo: Jeffrey Swinger / USA Today)
Did the Jazz get a sufficient return?
Absolutely. Once the 2021-22 season ended disappointingly in the first round of the playoffs, the Jazz pivoted to a rebuilding project. Last month, they traded All-Star center Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a king’s ransom of draft picks. New team president of basketball operations Danny Ainge took his time with Mitchell and ultimately received a similar bounty in return.
Here is the combined trade return for the Jazz’s two All-Stars:
Collin Sexton
Lauri Markkanen
Malik Beasley
Jarred Vanderbilt
Talen Horton-Tucker (acquired from the Lakers for Patrick Beverley, who was part of the Gobert deal)
Stanley Johnson (see above)
Ochai Agbaji
Walker Kessler
Leandro Bolmaro
Three unprotected first-round picks from Minnesota (2023, 2025, 2027)
Three unprotected first-round picks from Cleveland (2025, 2027, 2029)
One 2029 top-5 protected pick from Minnesota
Two first-round pick swaps with Minnesota (2026, 2028)
Two first-round pick swaps with Cleveland (2026, 2028)
To call that a “haul” of future assets is doing the word a disservice.
All in all, the Jazz now have 13 first-round picks from now until 2029, plus two players (Agbaji and Kessler) selected with 2022 first-rounders. And that’s not including any more picks they’ll receive in trades for existing veterans like Bojan Bogdanovic, Mike Conley and/or Jordan Clarkson. (More on that in a second.) Most importantly, that doesn’t include their own first-round selections, which will be much more valuable now that the current team is barren.
Ainge rebuilt the Boston Celtics through a ton of Brooklyn Nets picks that became players such as Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Now, he’s doing the same thing in Utah.
Was the Cavs deal better than anything the Knicks could have offered?
It’s tough to say because the specifics of the Knicks’ offer are unclear. Like Cleveland, New York had a treasure trove of assets it could have used in a Mitchell trade. The Knicks owned all of their own first-rounders, plus four future first-round picks from other teams with varying levels of protection. They also have several young players who were appealing to the Jazz to various degrees — RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickley and Obi Tobbin, most notably. The teams were thus seen as obvious trade partners and negotiated on a deal several times throughout the summer.
But the Knicks were reluctant to part with all (or even most) of those assets to acquire Mitchell, fearing that would make it difficult to acquire another frontline player in the future to pair with Mitchell and free-agent signing Jalen Brunson. The two sides grew closer on an agreement last weekend, but when they couldn’t finalize the deal, New York decided to give Barrett a four-year contract extension that made it functionally impossible to include him in the deal. The window for the two teams to figure something out was never closed.
Rather than waiting, Utah went with Cleveland’s offer instead.
(Photo: Jeffrey Swinger / USA Today)
Are the Cavs a contender in the Eastern Conference now?
Next year might be a challenge because the East is suddenly loaded at the top. Boston reached the Finals and improved its roster. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks aren’t going anywhere. The 76ers improved. Miami finished first last year and didn’t lose much. The Nets have Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving (for now), plus an improved roster on paper than what they had to end last season. The Hawks beat Cleveland to secure a playoff spot last year and then added All-Star guard Dejounte Murray. The Knicks still have all those assets to trade for a different star. The Raptors lurk as a dangerous team.
Is Cleveland better than those teams, or even half of those teams? That’s tough to see.
But the Cavaliers did not make this move just to contend next season. Mitchell is only turning 26 this month and has three years (plus a player option) left on his existing contract. Garland is 23. Allen is 24. Mobley just turned 21. Likely fifth starter Isaac Okoro turns 22 in January. Garland and Allen just signed long-term extensions, and Mobley still has three years before a max extension of his rookie contract kicks in. The Mitchell trade guarantees at least a three-year window of contention with a core that’s likely to improve as it gains even more experience.
What is Utah’s long-term vision?
This isn’t quite The Process or whatever you want to call the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rebuild, but it’s pretty close. As noted, the Jazz have 13 first-round picks through 2029, and that tally is likely to grow in the coming months as Utah finds new homes for veterans like Bogdanovic, Conley, Clarkson and possibly even Beasley and/or Vanderbilt. Each has value on the trade market. Bogdanovic, for example, makes sense for a team like the Lakers that’s trying to compete now.
Ultimately, the Jazz want to give themselves as many chances as possible to draft their next franchise player(s). They will likely be one of the worst teams in the league this season, putting them in prime position to win the lottery and draft overseas sensation Victor Wenbanyama. But if they don’t get lucky this year, they’ll have plenty of chances to do so with their own picks in the near future and/or the picks from Cleveland and Minnesota should one or both falter down the road.
Cavaliers projected starting 5
Expect Cleveland to run out Mitchell and Garland in the backcourt, along with Mobley, Allen and either Okoro or sixth-year forward Cedi Osman up front. Caris LeVert could start at small forward, but it may make more sense for him to provide scoring punch off the bench. Kevin Love remains an ace sixth man, while Ricky Rubio is back to man the backup point guard spot once he fully recovers from last season’s torn ACL.
Jazz projected starting 5
The Jazz? Who knows? If (when) Conley and Bogdanovic are traded, anything is possible. It’s hard to believe this is their final roster for the 2022-23 season.
Jan 12, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) in the third quarter at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
By Mike Prada
Sep 1, 2022
94
Save Article
The Cleveland Cavaliers are acquiring guard Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz, sources told The Athletic’s Shams Charania on Thursday, ending months of speculation about the three-time All-Star’s future.
They sent the Jazz a haul in return: Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, three first-round picks and two pick swaps.
The deal could help Cleveland make the playoffs for the first time since LeBron James’ departure four years ago and accelerates Utah’s rebuild. It also has implications for the New York Knicks, who had been engaged in trade talks for Mitchell this summer.
How the trade came together, and what the future looks like in Cleveland and Utah:
How did Cleveland get in a position to make this trade?
It sure happened fast, didn’t it?
Little was expected of the Cavaliers at this time last season. They had finished near the bottom of the Eastern Conference for three straight seasons following James’ (second) departure, and were not expected to do much better in 2021-22. Their preseason over/under was 26.5 wins, according to BetMGM.
But the Cavaliers emerged as one of the NBA’s biggest surprises last season, racing to one of the best records in the Eastern Conference by January. Led by the young trio of high-scoring guard Darius Garland, shot-blocking center Jarrett Allen and do-everything defender Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers relied on a stifling defense and just enough offense to get by. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff successfully experimented with a giant frontcourt of seven-footers Allen, Mobley and Lauri Markkanen, going against the grain of the current NBA trend of playing small and spreading the floor with shooters.
A slew of late-season injuries slowed Cleveland’s momentum, relegating them to the Play-In Tournament. But Cleveland’s surprising season, along with its combination of high-upside youth and tactical ingenuity, put the franchise back on the NBA map while emboldening it to make an all-in move for Mitchell.
(Photo: Jeffrey Swinger / USA Today)
Did the Jazz get a sufficient return?
Absolutely. Once the 2021-22 season ended disappointingly in the first round of the playoffs, the Jazz pivoted to a rebuilding project. Last month, they traded All-Star center Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a king’s ransom of draft picks. New team president of basketball operations Danny Ainge took his time with Mitchell and ultimately received a similar bounty in return.
Here is the combined trade return for the Jazz’s two All-Stars:
Collin Sexton
Lauri Markkanen
Malik Beasley
Jarred Vanderbilt
Talen Horton-Tucker (acquired from the Lakers for Patrick Beverley, who was part of the Gobert deal)
Stanley Johnson (see above)
Ochai Agbaji
Walker Kessler
Leandro Bolmaro
Three unprotected first-round picks from Minnesota (2023, 2025, 2027)
Three unprotected first-round picks from Cleveland (2025, 2027, 2029)
One 2029 top-5 protected pick from Minnesota
Two first-round pick swaps with Minnesota (2026, 2028)
Two first-round pick swaps with Cleveland (2026, 2028)
To call that a “haul” of future assets is doing the word a disservice.
All in all, the Jazz now have 13 first-round picks from now until 2029, plus two players (Agbaji and Kessler) selected with 2022 first-rounders. And that’s not including any more picks they’ll receive in trades for existing veterans like Bojan Bogdanovic, Mike Conley and/or Jordan Clarkson. (More on that in a second.) Most importantly, that doesn’t include their own first-round selections, which will be much more valuable now that the current team is barren.
Ainge rebuilt the Boston Celtics through a ton of Brooklyn Nets picks that became players such as Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Now, he’s doing the same thing in Utah.
Was the Cavs deal better than anything the Knicks could have offered?
It’s tough to say because the specifics of the Knicks’ offer are unclear. Like Cleveland, New York had a treasure trove of assets it could have used in a Mitchell trade. The Knicks owned all of their own first-rounders, plus four future first-round picks from other teams with varying levels of protection. They also have several young players who were appealing to the Jazz to various degrees — RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickley and Obi Tobbin, most notably. The teams were thus seen as obvious trade partners and negotiated on a deal several times throughout the summer.
But the Knicks were reluctant to part with all (or even most) of those assets to acquire Mitchell, fearing that would make it difficult to acquire another frontline player in the future to pair with Mitchell and free-agent signing Jalen Brunson. The two sides grew closer on an agreement last weekend, but when they couldn’t finalize the deal, New York decided to give Barrett a four-year contract extension that made it functionally impossible to include him in the deal. The window for the two teams to figure something out was never closed.
Rather than waiting, Utah went with Cleveland’s offer instead.
(Photo: Jeffrey Swinger / USA Today)
Are the Cavs a contender in the Eastern Conference now?
Next year might be a challenge because the East is suddenly loaded at the top. Boston reached the Finals and improved its roster. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks aren’t going anywhere. The 76ers improved. Miami finished first last year and didn’t lose much. The Nets have Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving (for now), plus an improved roster on paper than what they had to end last season. The Hawks beat Cleveland to secure a playoff spot last year and then added All-Star guard Dejounte Murray. The Knicks still have all those assets to trade for a different star. The Raptors lurk as a dangerous team.
Is Cleveland better than those teams, or even half of those teams? That’s tough to see.
But the Cavaliers did not make this move just to contend next season. Mitchell is only turning 26 this month and has three years (plus a player option) left on his existing contract. Garland is 23. Allen is 24. Mobley just turned 21. Likely fifth starter Isaac Okoro turns 22 in January. Garland and Allen just signed long-term extensions, and Mobley still has three years before a max extension of his rookie contract kicks in. The Mitchell trade guarantees at least a three-year window of contention with a core that’s likely to improve as it gains even more experience.
What is Utah’s long-term vision?
This isn’t quite The Process or whatever you want to call the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rebuild, but it’s pretty close. As noted, the Jazz have 13 first-round picks through 2029, and that tally is likely to grow in the coming months as Utah finds new homes for veterans like Bogdanovic, Conley, Clarkson and possibly even Beasley and/or Vanderbilt. Each has value on the trade market. Bogdanovic, for example, makes sense for a team like the Lakers that’s trying to compete now.
Ultimately, the Jazz want to give themselves as many chances as possible to draft their next franchise player(s). They will likely be one of the worst teams in the league this season, putting them in prime position to win the lottery and draft overseas sensation Victor Wenbanyama. But if they don’t get lucky this year, they’ll have plenty of chances to do so with their own picks in the near future and/or the picks from Cleveland and Minnesota should one or both falter down the road.
Cavaliers projected starting 5
Expect Cleveland to run out Mitchell and Garland in the backcourt, along with Mobley, Allen and either Okoro or sixth-year forward Cedi Osman up front. Caris LeVert could start at small forward, but it may make more sense for him to provide scoring punch off the bench. Kevin Love remains an ace sixth man, while Ricky Rubio is back to man the backup point guard spot once he fully recovers from last season’s torn ACL.
Jazz projected starting 5
The Jazz? Who knows? If (when) Conley and Bogdanovic are traded, anything is possible. It’s hard to believe this is their final roster for the 2022-23 season.
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2022 8:58 am
Russo: Cavaliers make a statement with Donovan Mitchell trade. They’re going for it all
Kelsey Russo
Sep 2, 2022
The air was heavy and the mood somber on April 15 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s voice grew hoarse as he shared disappointment and sadness that his team’s season had just ended to the Atlanta Hawks in the Play-In Tournament.
He recognized the progress the Cavs made during the 2021-22 season and noted how they wouldn’t surprise opponents in 2022-23.
“This version of the team you see isn’t the version you’re going to see next year,” he concluded.
Bickerstaff was right — just not in the way he may have originally expected in April.
In a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz on Thursday, the Cavs shipped Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, three future first-round draft picks and two pick swaps back to Utah to acquire three-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell, sources confirmed to The Athletic. Sexton signed a four-year, $72 million deal in a sign-and-trade with the Jazz, according to sources.
The trade moves Cleveland into contender status in the Eastern Conference. It was a massive win for the Cavs, who not only upgraded Darius Garland’s partner in the backcourt, but also did not have to give up a single All-Star player in the deal. Cleveland instead adds a three-time All-Star while holding on to its formidable core of Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
Earlier this summer, the Cavs signed Garland to a five-year, $193 million maximum designated rookie contract extension with the Cavs that could be worth up to $231 million with escalators. They also signed Allen last summer to a five-year, $100 million contract, cementing the two as important pieces of their future.
“We will always look for trades that will improve our team,” president of basketball operations Koby Altman said in April. “I love our core group. We had the third-youngest starting lineup in the NBA and then when you get to the playoffs or the Play-In, we were the youngest and that says a lot for that group that can impact winning at such a young age.”
Mitchell, who turns 26 next week, fits with this group of young players as they continue their rise in the Eastern Conference. He has three years left on his contract. This is a big-swing move for the Cavs with a potentially huge upside. It’s the type of big swing similar to the trade for Shawn Kemp in 1997 or Kevin Love in 2014 — the same year LeBron James came back to Cleveland.
Mitchell is an upgrade for the Cavs at the position and fills the scoring void created by Sexton’s season-ending meniscus injury. Though the Cavaliers exceeded outside expectations and rose in the East they missed Sexton’s ability to get a bucket when plays broke down.
Mitchell is a dynamic scoring guard who averaged 25.9 points per game during the 2021-22 season. While his 3-point percentage dipped to 35.5 percent last season, Mitchell shot 44.8 percent from the field, the second highest of his career. Sexton had the better 3-point percentage between the two — shooting 37.8 percent from 3 in his career, compared to Mitchell shooting 36.1 percent — but Mitchell provides that scoring punch.
Mitchell’s defense is flawed, which raises concerns about the backcourt’s defense. Mitchell is just 6-foot-1. But having two rim and paint protectors in Allen and Mobley may balance it out. It was a similar problem they had with Sexton before he was injured last season, with two undersized guards in the backcourt.
This trade didn’t come without a cost. The Cavs can’t use their three-big lineup anymore. They gave up a recent lottery pick in Agbaji who could have earned minutes in the rotation with his shooting. It also marks the end of Sexton’s tenure with the Cavs; he was the first pick that began their rebuild in 2018.
Since then, a lot has changed. Cleveland built through the draft beginning with the 2018-19 season, taking Sexton, Garland, Okoro and Mobley as top-10 picks in the last four drafts. They also made strategic trades along the way, landing Jarrett Allen in the four-team James Harden trade in 2021, Ricky Rubio in a deal with Minnesota for Taurean Prince and Lauri Markkanen in a 2021 offseason sign-and-trade deal with the Bulls. In the first three years of their rebuild, the Cavs won 19, 22 and 22 games, respectively.
But last season, Cleveland surprised many around the league. Cleveland surpassed their projected over/under win total in the 45th game of the regular season and doubled their win total with 44 wins. They believed they would make the playoffs last season but fell short of that goal due to several injuries and a dip in the final portion of the season.
Since Bickerstaff’s final message about five months ago, his players have used the disappointing end of the season as motivation. Videos of Garland, Okoro, Mobley and Caris LeVert putting in offseason work have surfaced on social media. That same crew, along with Allen, Lamar Stevens, Dylan Windler and Dean Wade, were all present at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where they held group workouts.
While that internal improvement will help the Cavs take another step forward, adding Mitchell transforms them into a force to be reckoned with in the East. There’s still more to be done before the Cavaliers can compete for a championship. Boston is coming off an NBA Finals appearance, Milwaukee won an NBA title two seasons ago, Miami and Philadelphia are still in the mix at the top in the East and the Nets stay in this group with Kevin Durant off the trade market. The top of the East is crowded.
But the Cavaliers no longer just have a young, hungry squad that believes it can hang with the league’s elite. Their time is now too.
Kelsey Russo
Sep 2, 2022
The air was heavy and the mood somber on April 15 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s voice grew hoarse as he shared disappointment and sadness that his team’s season had just ended to the Atlanta Hawks in the Play-In Tournament.
He recognized the progress the Cavs made during the 2021-22 season and noted how they wouldn’t surprise opponents in 2022-23.
“This version of the team you see isn’t the version you’re going to see next year,” he concluded.
Bickerstaff was right — just not in the way he may have originally expected in April.
In a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz on Thursday, the Cavs shipped Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, three future first-round draft picks and two pick swaps back to Utah to acquire three-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell, sources confirmed to The Athletic. Sexton signed a four-year, $72 million deal in a sign-and-trade with the Jazz, according to sources.
The trade moves Cleveland into contender status in the Eastern Conference. It was a massive win for the Cavs, who not only upgraded Darius Garland’s partner in the backcourt, but also did not have to give up a single All-Star player in the deal. Cleveland instead adds a three-time All-Star while holding on to its formidable core of Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
Earlier this summer, the Cavs signed Garland to a five-year, $193 million maximum designated rookie contract extension with the Cavs that could be worth up to $231 million with escalators. They also signed Allen last summer to a five-year, $100 million contract, cementing the two as important pieces of their future.
“We will always look for trades that will improve our team,” president of basketball operations Koby Altman said in April. “I love our core group. We had the third-youngest starting lineup in the NBA and then when you get to the playoffs or the Play-In, we were the youngest and that says a lot for that group that can impact winning at such a young age.”
Mitchell, who turns 26 next week, fits with this group of young players as they continue their rise in the Eastern Conference. He has three years left on his contract. This is a big-swing move for the Cavs with a potentially huge upside. It’s the type of big swing similar to the trade for Shawn Kemp in 1997 or Kevin Love in 2014 — the same year LeBron James came back to Cleveland.
Mitchell is an upgrade for the Cavs at the position and fills the scoring void created by Sexton’s season-ending meniscus injury. Though the Cavaliers exceeded outside expectations and rose in the East they missed Sexton’s ability to get a bucket when plays broke down.
Mitchell is a dynamic scoring guard who averaged 25.9 points per game during the 2021-22 season. While his 3-point percentage dipped to 35.5 percent last season, Mitchell shot 44.8 percent from the field, the second highest of his career. Sexton had the better 3-point percentage between the two — shooting 37.8 percent from 3 in his career, compared to Mitchell shooting 36.1 percent — but Mitchell provides that scoring punch.
Mitchell’s defense is flawed, which raises concerns about the backcourt’s defense. Mitchell is just 6-foot-1. But having two rim and paint protectors in Allen and Mobley may balance it out. It was a similar problem they had with Sexton before he was injured last season, with two undersized guards in the backcourt.
This trade didn’t come without a cost. The Cavs can’t use their three-big lineup anymore. They gave up a recent lottery pick in Agbaji who could have earned minutes in the rotation with his shooting. It also marks the end of Sexton’s tenure with the Cavs; he was the first pick that began their rebuild in 2018.
Since then, a lot has changed. Cleveland built through the draft beginning with the 2018-19 season, taking Sexton, Garland, Okoro and Mobley as top-10 picks in the last four drafts. They also made strategic trades along the way, landing Jarrett Allen in the four-team James Harden trade in 2021, Ricky Rubio in a deal with Minnesota for Taurean Prince and Lauri Markkanen in a 2021 offseason sign-and-trade deal with the Bulls. In the first three years of their rebuild, the Cavs won 19, 22 and 22 games, respectively.
But last season, Cleveland surprised many around the league. Cleveland surpassed their projected over/under win total in the 45th game of the regular season and doubled their win total with 44 wins. They believed they would make the playoffs last season but fell short of that goal due to several injuries and a dip in the final portion of the season.
Since Bickerstaff’s final message about five months ago, his players have used the disappointing end of the season as motivation. Videos of Garland, Okoro, Mobley and Caris LeVert putting in offseason work have surfaced on social media. That same crew, along with Allen, Lamar Stevens, Dylan Windler and Dean Wade, were all present at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where they held group workouts.
While that internal improvement will help the Cavs take another step forward, adding Mitchell transforms them into a force to be reckoned with in the East. There’s still more to be done before the Cavaliers can compete for a championship. Boston is coming off an NBA Finals appearance, Milwaukee won an NBA title two seasons ago, Miami and Philadelphia are still in the mix at the top in the East and the Nets stay in this group with Kevin Durant off the trade market. The top of the East is crowded.
But the Cavaliers no longer just have a young, hungry squad that believes it can hang with the league’s elite. Their time is now too.
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2022 9:34 am
Hollinger: Cavaliers, Jazz and Knicks played their cards right in Donovan Mitchell trade
John Hollinger
Sep 2, 2022
Everyone rolled their eyes when the leaks came out that Utah Jazz CEO Danny Ainge felt he had strong non-New York Knicks alternatives for a Donovan Mitchell trade. Sure, Danny.
Well, it turns out he did, and he acted on it. Once the Knicks and Jazz couldn’t come to an agreement that included RJ Barrett, the Knicks effectively pulled Barrett off the table by signing him to an extension. That merely seemed like a prelude to a different trade structure between the two teams that would include other players. Three days later, the Jazz zagged in a different direction entirely.
And so, instead of Mitchell ending up a Knick, he is a …. Cavalier? Yes.
To review, the trade sends Mitchell to Cleveland in return for Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, a signed-and-traded Collin Sexton, three unprotected first-round picks (2025, 2027 and 2029) and two unprotected pick swaps (2026 and 2028). Sexton’s new deal will pay him $72 million over four years, fully guaranteed, ending his restricted free agency staredown with the Cavs.
Agbaji, the 14th pick in the 2022 draft, was trade-eligible because rookies who sign their contract can be traded within 30 days. (A cap fact most Cavs fans no doubt retained from the Andrew Wiggins days. If you’re a lottery pick from Kansas and Cleveland drafts you, please consider renting.) The Cavs also generated a $3.9 million trade exception for Agbaji.
At the end of it all, seemingly everyone has some questions. Should the Jazz have waited for the Knicks to come back to the table? Did Utah make Cleveland too good for the picks to have value? Did the Cavs push their chips in too early on a player who might leave once his current contract ends? Did the Knicks blow it?
While all three teams’ decisions may potentially look bad in a few years, I think they each played solid hands that minimize those risks.
To sum up most of what I feel in five words: Cleveland is not New York. The differences between those two organizations’ current states made it much more palatable for the Cavs to meet Utah’s high asking price.
Take a look at the rosters of the two Mitchell suitors. Cleveland has two players who made the 2022 All-Star team (Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen) and the 2022 Rookie of the Year runner-up in Evan Mobley. They are ages 22, 24 and 21, respectively. The Cavs went 44-38 last year despite having a gaping hole at shooting guard and one (1) player who could dribble for the last four months of the season. Filling that void with a 25-year-old All-Star immediately gives the Cavaliers one of the best cores in the East, one that should stay relevant for as long as it stays together. (More on that in a minute).
The youth and quality of Cleveland’s core also insulates it against overpaying, in a roundabout way. Owing unprotected picks is always scary, and the Cavs IOU runs for half a decade, from 2025 to 2029. On the other hand, even if Mitchell bails when he hits free agency, a Mobley-Garland-Allen unit should at least be decent enough to avoid the worst potential outcomes.
In the meantime, Cleveland looks set up to be a force in the East. The biggest weakness of a Mitchell-Garland backcourt is its lack of size, but the twin terrors of Allen and Mobley on the back line lessen that concern. The Cavs don’t have an A-list superstar unless or until Mobley erupts, but they could put as many as four players on the 2024 All-Star team.
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
Donovan Mitchell trade cements Cavs' status in the East, but there's still work to be done
Cap-wise, Mitchell’s trade kicker pushes his salary up to $30.9 million for this year, but that’s still a relative bargain; the next two years on his deal should look even better as the cap continues to rise. With Mobley still on his rookie deal and Allen signed to one of the best contracts in basketball (a flat $20 million per season through 2026), the Cavs have the flexibility to make other moves.
They’re still nearly $40 million below next year’s tax line, and though re-signing or extending one of both of Caris LeVert and Kevin Love could eat into that, they’ll likely be able to use their full midlevel exception and take back money in trades either way. LeVert and Love have also given them giant expiring contracts to use in a trade this season, although they’re out of draft picks to sweeten the pot. If anything, Cleveland untied its hands in some ways by offloading two of the more most dubious entries in the post-LeBron James rebuild (the Markkanen sign-and-trade and the decision to draft Sexton over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander). Now the Cavs are better set up to reap the benefits of other smart decisions. Notably: drafting Garland and Mobley, and stealing Allen as a sidebar to the James Harden trade.
Some will note that Cleveland retains its rights to a first-round pick in 2024, when the son of a certain famous athlete from Akron is theoretically available for selection. While it’s still awfully unlikely that could come together so neatly, the Cavs kept the ‘Bron-Bronny possibility on the table.
The challenge now for Cleveland is that its roster still has holes and the team is mostly out of assets. Hanging with the Bostons and Milwaukees of this conference requires conjuring up a starting-caliber small forward, either via internal development (paging Isaac Okoro) or extremely crafty wheeling and dealing. Working out the fit between two small guards in Mitchell and Garland, as well as re-jiggering what was a post-up heavy offense to favor the guards, may involve some short-term pain as well.
The biggest risk factor for Cleveland, however, is that Mitchell can opt out of his deal after the 2024-25 season. Signing a contract extension between now and then would likely be a poor business decision for him – he is no longer supermax eligible post-trade and the expected rise in the cap makes a regular extension unpalatable. The flight risk is a real given Mitchell’s reported interest in New York. That could pressure the Cavs into trading him in the summer of 2024. (That is also why the Jazz took on the Cavs’ first-rounders between 2025 and 2029).
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
Lloyd: With Donovan Mitchell trade, Cavaliers bolster young team and get what they needed
Julius Randle and RJ Barrett did not play near an All-Star level last season. ((Wendell Cruz / USA Today)
Contrast Cleveland’s situation with the Knicks. New York had zero (0) All-Stars last season and zero (0) players on the All-Rookie team. Adding Jalen Brunson helps, but as our Fred Katz astutely pointed out in a recent column, trading for Mitchell only made sense for the Knicks if they retained some assets to acquire another All-Star later. He’s not good enough to carry a 37-win team to contention by himself.
While leaked trade offers should be taken with a pillar of salt, it does appear the Knicks were willing to get decently close to meeting the Jazz’s price to acquire Mitchell. Pulling back from the precipice rather than pushing all their chips to win the press conference showed some uncharacteristic restraint for the New York Knickerbockers, even if the short-term result is likely another blah high-30s win total in 2022-23.
New York still has myriad trade assets and a relatively clean cap sheet. I’m a bit more bullish on the idea of using a year to see what a Brunson-Barrett-young guys core looks like before jumping in with both feet on megatrades. Again, in the Knicks’ current situation, pushing in every single chip only makes sense to get a top-10 caliber player in the league. Mitchell is good but isn’t on that level. It made a lot more sense for Cleveland to push this button now than it did for New York. (And hey, maybe the Knicks get Mitchell for free in 2025.)
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
Are the Cavs contenders? Did the Knicks mess up? Our experts have the answers
As for Utah, the completely unprotected picks coming from Cleveland won’t arrive until 2025, 2027 and 2029. That’s perfectly fine from Utah’s perspective, since the Jazz’s primary interest in this deal was to get as many proverbial lottery tickets as possible to secure a franchise-changing player with a top-5 pick. They’ll get five bites at the apple from Cleveland, including the two pick swaps, and three of those bites could potentially come after Mitchell departs as a free agent in 2025.
Of course, the main “asset” Utah receives in this trade is the impact on its own pick in 2023, and likely 2024. With Mitchell and Rudy Gobert gone and other vets likely soon to follow, the Jazz will be one of the worst teams in the league and have solid odds of winning the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes in the spring.
The Jazz also received actual basketball players in this trade, believe it or not. In fact, the most interesting Jazz subplot with the Gobert and Mitchell trades is that they didn’t have to take back a bunch of dead money. The three players Cleveland sent them are 25, 23, and 22. Each is signed for at least three more years. In the Gobert trade, they got a 23-year-old Jarred Vanderbilt and a 25-year-old Malik Beasley, in addition to the already flipped Patrick Beverley.
Most notably, Sexton signed for four years, $72 million, which is worth a column in its own right. Sexton is kind of the second coming of Monta Ellis: a guy who can score 27 a game for a 25-win team while his team’s fans howl in anger that he should be in the All-Star Game. Alas, he is a much more difficult fit in the lineup of a team with elite aspirations.
It’s somewhat ironic that he was traded for another undersized, high-scoring guard. Sexton and Mitchell have similarities at an extreme surface level: Sexton’s 34.0 points per 100 possessions on 57.3 True Shooting in 2020-21 is a first-glance doppelgänger for Mitchell’s 37.8 points per 100 on 57.2 True Shooting a year ago.
The difference is that Mitchell is at least an average passer and defender, while Sexton is … let’s call it a wee bit less than average. Sexton is one of the worst defenders in captivity by most advanced metrics, and his inability to play point guard at 6-1 exacerbates that issue. His best role on a real team is likely a high-volume second-unit bucket-getter, but he’ll likely be the go-to guy once Utah finishes its teardown.
So why four years and $72 million for Sexton? Because that was the only number that worked.
On the Jazz’s end, they couldn’t pay him any more without putting other players in the deal. The most 2022-23 salary Sexton could make in this version of the trade was $17,545,911. Sending another player from Utah to Cleveland to increase that amount would have put the Cavs perilously close to the luxury tax. As ever, having an upper limit set by outside forces is an expedient way to push contract negotiations to their conclusion.
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
Trading Donovan Mitchell marks the end of an era for the Utah Jazz: A look at how it all went down behind the scenes
As for the rest of Utah’s roster, the Jazz have 17 guaranteed contracts right now, but many of these players will likely have new homes by the end of the month. There’s seemingly little reason for the Jazz to keep vets like Bojan Bogdanović, Jordan Clarkson, Mike Conley and Rudy Gay around if they can receive any young players or draft picks in return. (Although part of me desperately wants a Clarkson-Sexton backcourt combo just to see how much time it’d take for one of the other three players to touch the ball.) One suspects Beasley also could be in play.
All told, I like what all three teams did here. One can argue that Cleveland overpaid a bit, especially with the addition of Agbaji (essentially a fourth first-rounder). But you can also argue Mitchell’s near-perfect fit made it worth it. The Cavs have two years to win a ton of games and convince Mitchell it’s worth staying around. If he walks, that hurts, but it’s unlikely to be a disaster.
One can argue the Knicks should have dove in with more assets, but that pathway looked like a dead end to a half-decade of one-and-done playoff runs. If anything, one can argue the Jazz made the biggest error of the three teams, in that they should have chosen New York’s picks and Barrett over Cleveland’s picks and Sexton. Given those debating points, we’ll likely be revisiting this trade a lot over the next half-decade.
At the present, however, with the current information available, I think all three teams made defensible decisions that have a good chance to turn out well.
John Hollinger
Sep 2, 2022
Everyone rolled their eyes when the leaks came out that Utah Jazz CEO Danny Ainge felt he had strong non-New York Knicks alternatives for a Donovan Mitchell trade. Sure, Danny.
Well, it turns out he did, and he acted on it. Once the Knicks and Jazz couldn’t come to an agreement that included RJ Barrett, the Knicks effectively pulled Barrett off the table by signing him to an extension. That merely seemed like a prelude to a different trade structure between the two teams that would include other players. Three days later, the Jazz zagged in a different direction entirely.
And so, instead of Mitchell ending up a Knick, he is a …. Cavalier? Yes.
To review, the trade sends Mitchell to Cleveland in return for Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, a signed-and-traded Collin Sexton, three unprotected first-round picks (2025, 2027 and 2029) and two unprotected pick swaps (2026 and 2028). Sexton’s new deal will pay him $72 million over four years, fully guaranteed, ending his restricted free agency staredown with the Cavs.
Agbaji, the 14th pick in the 2022 draft, was trade-eligible because rookies who sign their contract can be traded within 30 days. (A cap fact most Cavs fans no doubt retained from the Andrew Wiggins days. If you’re a lottery pick from Kansas and Cleveland drafts you, please consider renting.) The Cavs also generated a $3.9 million trade exception for Agbaji.
At the end of it all, seemingly everyone has some questions. Should the Jazz have waited for the Knicks to come back to the table? Did Utah make Cleveland too good for the picks to have value? Did the Cavs push their chips in too early on a player who might leave once his current contract ends? Did the Knicks blow it?
While all three teams’ decisions may potentially look bad in a few years, I think they each played solid hands that minimize those risks.
To sum up most of what I feel in five words: Cleveland is not New York. The differences between those two organizations’ current states made it much more palatable for the Cavs to meet Utah’s high asking price.
Take a look at the rosters of the two Mitchell suitors. Cleveland has two players who made the 2022 All-Star team (Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen) and the 2022 Rookie of the Year runner-up in Evan Mobley. They are ages 22, 24 and 21, respectively. The Cavs went 44-38 last year despite having a gaping hole at shooting guard and one (1) player who could dribble for the last four months of the season. Filling that void with a 25-year-old All-Star immediately gives the Cavaliers one of the best cores in the East, one that should stay relevant for as long as it stays together. (More on that in a minute).
The youth and quality of Cleveland’s core also insulates it against overpaying, in a roundabout way. Owing unprotected picks is always scary, and the Cavs IOU runs for half a decade, from 2025 to 2029. On the other hand, even if Mitchell bails when he hits free agency, a Mobley-Garland-Allen unit should at least be decent enough to avoid the worst potential outcomes.
In the meantime, Cleveland looks set up to be a force in the East. The biggest weakness of a Mitchell-Garland backcourt is its lack of size, but the twin terrors of Allen and Mobley on the back line lessen that concern. The Cavs don’t have an A-list superstar unless or until Mobley erupts, but they could put as many as four players on the 2024 All-Star team.
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
Donovan Mitchell trade cements Cavs' status in the East, but there's still work to be done
Cap-wise, Mitchell’s trade kicker pushes his salary up to $30.9 million for this year, but that’s still a relative bargain; the next two years on his deal should look even better as the cap continues to rise. With Mobley still on his rookie deal and Allen signed to one of the best contracts in basketball (a flat $20 million per season through 2026), the Cavs have the flexibility to make other moves.
They’re still nearly $40 million below next year’s tax line, and though re-signing or extending one of both of Caris LeVert and Kevin Love could eat into that, they’ll likely be able to use their full midlevel exception and take back money in trades either way. LeVert and Love have also given them giant expiring contracts to use in a trade this season, although they’re out of draft picks to sweeten the pot. If anything, Cleveland untied its hands in some ways by offloading two of the more most dubious entries in the post-LeBron James rebuild (the Markkanen sign-and-trade and the decision to draft Sexton over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander). Now the Cavs are better set up to reap the benefits of other smart decisions. Notably: drafting Garland and Mobley, and stealing Allen as a sidebar to the James Harden trade.
Some will note that Cleveland retains its rights to a first-round pick in 2024, when the son of a certain famous athlete from Akron is theoretically available for selection. While it’s still awfully unlikely that could come together so neatly, the Cavs kept the ‘Bron-Bronny possibility on the table.
The challenge now for Cleveland is that its roster still has holes and the team is mostly out of assets. Hanging with the Bostons and Milwaukees of this conference requires conjuring up a starting-caliber small forward, either via internal development (paging Isaac Okoro) or extremely crafty wheeling and dealing. Working out the fit between two small guards in Mitchell and Garland, as well as re-jiggering what was a post-up heavy offense to favor the guards, may involve some short-term pain as well.
The biggest risk factor for Cleveland, however, is that Mitchell can opt out of his deal after the 2024-25 season. Signing a contract extension between now and then would likely be a poor business decision for him – he is no longer supermax eligible post-trade and the expected rise in the cap makes a regular extension unpalatable. The flight risk is a real given Mitchell’s reported interest in New York. That could pressure the Cavs into trading him in the summer of 2024. (That is also why the Jazz took on the Cavs’ first-rounders between 2025 and 2029).
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
Lloyd: With Donovan Mitchell trade, Cavaliers bolster young team and get what they needed
Julius Randle and RJ Barrett did not play near an All-Star level last season. ((Wendell Cruz / USA Today)
Contrast Cleveland’s situation with the Knicks. New York had zero (0) All-Stars last season and zero (0) players on the All-Rookie team. Adding Jalen Brunson helps, but as our Fred Katz astutely pointed out in a recent column, trading for Mitchell only made sense for the Knicks if they retained some assets to acquire another All-Star later. He’s not good enough to carry a 37-win team to contention by himself.
While leaked trade offers should be taken with a pillar of salt, it does appear the Knicks were willing to get decently close to meeting the Jazz’s price to acquire Mitchell. Pulling back from the precipice rather than pushing all their chips to win the press conference showed some uncharacteristic restraint for the New York Knickerbockers, even if the short-term result is likely another blah high-30s win total in 2022-23.
New York still has myriad trade assets and a relatively clean cap sheet. I’m a bit more bullish on the idea of using a year to see what a Brunson-Barrett-young guys core looks like before jumping in with both feet on megatrades. Again, in the Knicks’ current situation, pushing in every single chip only makes sense to get a top-10 caliber player in the league. Mitchell is good but isn’t on that level. It made a lot more sense for Cleveland to push this button now than it did for New York. (And hey, maybe the Knicks get Mitchell for free in 2025.)
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
Are the Cavs contenders? Did the Knicks mess up? Our experts have the answers
As for Utah, the completely unprotected picks coming from Cleveland won’t arrive until 2025, 2027 and 2029. That’s perfectly fine from Utah’s perspective, since the Jazz’s primary interest in this deal was to get as many proverbial lottery tickets as possible to secure a franchise-changing player with a top-5 pick. They’ll get five bites at the apple from Cleveland, including the two pick swaps, and three of those bites could potentially come after Mitchell departs as a free agent in 2025.
Of course, the main “asset” Utah receives in this trade is the impact on its own pick in 2023, and likely 2024. With Mitchell and Rudy Gobert gone and other vets likely soon to follow, the Jazz will be one of the worst teams in the league and have solid odds of winning the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes in the spring.
The Jazz also received actual basketball players in this trade, believe it or not. In fact, the most interesting Jazz subplot with the Gobert and Mitchell trades is that they didn’t have to take back a bunch of dead money. The three players Cleveland sent them are 25, 23, and 22. Each is signed for at least three more years. In the Gobert trade, they got a 23-year-old Jarred Vanderbilt and a 25-year-old Malik Beasley, in addition to the already flipped Patrick Beverley.
Most notably, Sexton signed for four years, $72 million, which is worth a column in its own right. Sexton is kind of the second coming of Monta Ellis: a guy who can score 27 a game for a 25-win team while his team’s fans howl in anger that he should be in the All-Star Game. Alas, he is a much more difficult fit in the lineup of a team with elite aspirations.
It’s somewhat ironic that he was traded for another undersized, high-scoring guard. Sexton and Mitchell have similarities at an extreme surface level: Sexton’s 34.0 points per 100 possessions on 57.3 True Shooting in 2020-21 is a first-glance doppelgänger for Mitchell’s 37.8 points per 100 on 57.2 True Shooting a year ago.
The difference is that Mitchell is at least an average passer and defender, while Sexton is … let’s call it a wee bit less than average. Sexton is one of the worst defenders in captivity by most advanced metrics, and his inability to play point guard at 6-1 exacerbates that issue. His best role on a real team is likely a high-volume second-unit bucket-getter, but he’ll likely be the go-to guy once Utah finishes its teardown.
So why four years and $72 million for Sexton? Because that was the only number that worked.
On the Jazz’s end, they couldn’t pay him any more without putting other players in the deal. The most 2022-23 salary Sexton could make in this version of the trade was $17,545,911. Sending another player from Utah to Cleveland to increase that amount would have put the Cavs perilously close to the luxury tax. As ever, having an upper limit set by outside forces is an expedient way to push contract negotiations to their conclusion.
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
Trading Donovan Mitchell marks the end of an era for the Utah Jazz: A look at how it all went down behind the scenes
As for the rest of Utah’s roster, the Jazz have 17 guaranteed contracts right now, but many of these players will likely have new homes by the end of the month. There’s seemingly little reason for the Jazz to keep vets like Bojan Bogdanović, Jordan Clarkson, Mike Conley and Rudy Gay around if they can receive any young players or draft picks in return. (Although part of me desperately wants a Clarkson-Sexton backcourt combo just to see how much time it’d take for one of the other three players to touch the ball.) One suspects Beasley also could be in play.
All told, I like what all three teams did here. One can argue that Cleveland overpaid a bit, especially with the addition of Agbaji (essentially a fourth first-rounder). But you can also argue Mitchell’s near-perfect fit made it worth it. The Cavs have two years to win a ton of games and convince Mitchell it’s worth staying around. If he walks, that hurts, but it’s unlikely to be a disaster.
One can argue the Knicks should have dove in with more assets, but that pathway looked like a dead end to a half-decade of one-and-done playoff runs. If anything, one can argue the Jazz made the biggest error of the three teams, in that they should have chosen New York’s picks and Barrett over Cleveland’s picks and Sexton. Given those debating points, we’ll likely be revisiting this trade a lot over the next half-decade.
At the present, however, with the current information available, I think all three teams made defensible decisions that have a good chance to turn out well.
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2022 9:56 am
All aboard the Cavs train!
Cavaliers training-camp primer: Assessing Darius Garland and other point guards
Apr 15, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) dribbles the ball in the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
By Kelsey Russo
The Cleveland Cavaliers addressed several positions of need this offseason, one being at backup point guard.
The Cavs signed Ricky Rubio to a three-year, $18.4 million deal and Raul Neto to a one-year veteran minimum deal. The two guards will provide veteran experience to a young team and serve as a backup to All-Star Darius Garland. Having this level of depth will be helpful in preventing injuries while also taking some of the load off Garland.
The team is already getting in reps with training camp set for later this month. They were recently participating in workouts together in Nashville, Tenn., at Vanderbilt University, where Garland played for one season.
Before training camp gets underway, let’s take a look at the Cavs’ depth at point guard and how each player can impact the team for the upcoming season.
(Note: This will be the first in a five-part series looking at each position group, understanding that some guys can play multiple positions and move around throughout the season.)
Darius Garland
Garland took immense steps forward during the 2021-22 season. He developed his voice as leader of the Cavs, took hold of the reins handed to him by coach J.B. Bickerstaff and developed a high level of confidence in his game. It was a year where Garland learned the game within the game, as Bickerstaff noted throughout the season. Garland also earned an All-Star nod for his individual growth last season and led the Cavs in their early rise in the Eastern Conference.
In his third season, Garland averaged 21.7 points per game, shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from 3 in 35.7 minutes of play. He also dished out 8.6 assists and grabbed 3.3 rebounds per game. He averaged 3.6 turnovers per game, as well. Garland started all 68 regular-season games he played in, in addition to both Play-In Tournament games.
All of those factors earned Garland a five-year, $193 million maximum-designated rookie contract extension that could be worth up to $231 million with escalators. Cleveland cemented Garland as an integral part of its future and once again showed a high level of belief in him.
Those experiences will go a long way for Garland entering the 2022-23 season. This year continues to be about building on his individual growth and helping the Cavs break through to the next level by reaching the playoffs.
ADVERTISEMENT
Garland has a new backcourt partner in three-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell to help them get there. With Garland and Mitchell teaming up, Cleveland’s offense will have a necessary scoring punch. Each can create offense off the dribble, as well as play off the ball. Garland’s passing ability will play an important role in creating for others and finding his teammates for open shots.
After the Cavs’ loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the Play-In Tournament, Garland said he wanted to “come back stronger with a mentality of exceeding past the Play-In game.” In order to do so, he has to be that leader at point guard to facilitate, playmake and use his creativity and imagination that emerged last season to push Cleveland forward. How Garland manages possessions while out on the floor will play a role in the Cleveland’s success.
Ricky Rubio
Rubio’s impact on and off the court was undeniable in the first few months of last season. When running the offense, he brought veteran experience to the second unit and made the right reads and passes to facilitate. Reunited after their days with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Rubio and Kevin Love established a chemistry in that worked well and provided a different look to the Cavs’ offense.
When Rubio went down with a season-ending ACL injury in December, there was a noticeable difference on the court. Cleveland missed Rubio’s infectious personality, how he used his veteran leadership and experience to teach others, his savvy passing and overall effectiveness as a floor general. It’s why the Cavs made a decision to reconnect with him in free agency after he was traded to the Indiana Pacers in last season’s Caris LeVert deal.
Rubio returns to that role this season, serving as relief for Garland, a veteran presence off the bench and someone who can help with play creation. Having Rubio as a backup option to Garland brings a familiarity to the team, because the entire squad has played with or against Rubio.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Cavs also have the option to put Garland and Rubio on the floor together like they did last season, which allowed Rubio to facilitate and gave Garland a chance to find shots of his own. Opposing defenses had to make tough decisions on which player to guard, and teams had to worry about Rubio in the pick-and-roll. It’s a tactic the Cavs could use again this season.
With a major injury like Rubio’s, there is always a risk or concern that it could take some time to reacclimate. It’s hard to tell whether Rubio will be the same player he was before the injury, especially since it was the same knee he tore his ACL back in 2012.
Once Rubio is a full go to return to NBA action, the Cavs will look to him to bring his impressive passing skills, the way he reads the floor and how he runs the offense. Cleveland is still a young, growing team, so Rubio’s veteran presence will be beneficial to help them reach their goals.
Raul Neto
As the Cavs await Rubio’s return, they used one of their final open roster spots to sign Neto to a one-year veteran minimum deal. Neto also will provide overall depth at point guard after the injuries Cleveland endured last season showcased a real need.
Neto spent the last two seasons with the Washington Wizards. In 70 games (19 starts) last season, he averaged 7.5 points per contest while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 29.2 percent from 3 in 19.6 minutes per game. Neto also dished out 3.1 assists and grabbed 1.9 rebounds.
Behind Garland, Neto can facilitate, playmake off the bench and help run the second unit. He’s also a strong defensive player as a point-of-attack defender, which can fit well with Cleveland’s defensive identity it established last season. When Rubio returns, Neto likely will be a third-string option the Cavs can use when needed.
RJ Nembhard
The Cavs have another option at point guard in RJ Nembhard, one of their two-way signees. Nembhard, who also was on a two-way contract last year with the Cavaliers, will split his time with the team, as well as the Cleveland Charge, the NBA G League team affiliate.
ADVERTISEMENT
In 15 games for the Charge in 2021-22, Nembhard averaged 24.5 points. 8.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per contest. He shot 44.6 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from 3 on 5.2 attempts per game. Nembhard appeared in 14 games with the Cavs, posting averages of 1.1 points and 0.9 assists in 4.5 minutes per game.
Nembhard spent the offseason working on expanding his game as a point guard and being a floor general. He focused on his ballhandling, building the consistency of his shooting and conditioning. At Las Vegas Summer League, Nembhard had an opportunity to showcase that work and lead the Cavs’ offense. As a point guard, he knows the importance of setting the tone defensively and making plays for his teammates and himself on the offensive end. He also could be an option at shooting guard.
Cavaliers training-camp primer: Assessing Darius Garland and other point guards
Apr 15, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) dribbles the ball in the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
By Kelsey Russo
The Cleveland Cavaliers addressed several positions of need this offseason, one being at backup point guard.
The Cavs signed Ricky Rubio to a three-year, $18.4 million deal and Raul Neto to a one-year veteran minimum deal. The two guards will provide veteran experience to a young team and serve as a backup to All-Star Darius Garland. Having this level of depth will be helpful in preventing injuries while also taking some of the load off Garland.
The team is already getting in reps with training camp set for later this month. They were recently participating in workouts together in Nashville, Tenn., at Vanderbilt University, where Garland played for one season.
Before training camp gets underway, let’s take a look at the Cavs’ depth at point guard and how each player can impact the team for the upcoming season.
(Note: This will be the first in a five-part series looking at each position group, understanding that some guys can play multiple positions and move around throughout the season.)
Darius Garland
Garland took immense steps forward during the 2021-22 season. He developed his voice as leader of the Cavs, took hold of the reins handed to him by coach J.B. Bickerstaff and developed a high level of confidence in his game. It was a year where Garland learned the game within the game, as Bickerstaff noted throughout the season. Garland also earned an All-Star nod for his individual growth last season and led the Cavs in their early rise in the Eastern Conference.
In his third season, Garland averaged 21.7 points per game, shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from 3 in 35.7 minutes of play. He also dished out 8.6 assists and grabbed 3.3 rebounds per game. He averaged 3.6 turnovers per game, as well. Garland started all 68 regular-season games he played in, in addition to both Play-In Tournament games.
All of those factors earned Garland a five-year, $193 million maximum-designated rookie contract extension that could be worth up to $231 million with escalators. Cleveland cemented Garland as an integral part of its future and once again showed a high level of belief in him.
Those experiences will go a long way for Garland entering the 2022-23 season. This year continues to be about building on his individual growth and helping the Cavs break through to the next level by reaching the playoffs.
ADVERTISEMENT
Garland has a new backcourt partner in three-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell to help them get there. With Garland and Mitchell teaming up, Cleveland’s offense will have a necessary scoring punch. Each can create offense off the dribble, as well as play off the ball. Garland’s passing ability will play an important role in creating for others and finding his teammates for open shots.
After the Cavs’ loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the Play-In Tournament, Garland said he wanted to “come back stronger with a mentality of exceeding past the Play-In game.” In order to do so, he has to be that leader at point guard to facilitate, playmake and use his creativity and imagination that emerged last season to push Cleveland forward. How Garland manages possessions while out on the floor will play a role in the Cleveland’s success.
Ricky Rubio
Rubio’s impact on and off the court was undeniable in the first few months of last season. When running the offense, he brought veteran experience to the second unit and made the right reads and passes to facilitate. Reunited after their days with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Rubio and Kevin Love established a chemistry in that worked well and provided a different look to the Cavs’ offense.
When Rubio went down with a season-ending ACL injury in December, there was a noticeable difference on the court. Cleveland missed Rubio’s infectious personality, how he used his veteran leadership and experience to teach others, his savvy passing and overall effectiveness as a floor general. It’s why the Cavs made a decision to reconnect with him in free agency after he was traded to the Indiana Pacers in last season’s Caris LeVert deal.
Rubio returns to that role this season, serving as relief for Garland, a veteran presence off the bench and someone who can help with play creation. Having Rubio as a backup option to Garland brings a familiarity to the team, because the entire squad has played with or against Rubio.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Cavs also have the option to put Garland and Rubio on the floor together like they did last season, which allowed Rubio to facilitate and gave Garland a chance to find shots of his own. Opposing defenses had to make tough decisions on which player to guard, and teams had to worry about Rubio in the pick-and-roll. It’s a tactic the Cavs could use again this season.
With a major injury like Rubio’s, there is always a risk or concern that it could take some time to reacclimate. It’s hard to tell whether Rubio will be the same player he was before the injury, especially since it was the same knee he tore his ACL back in 2012.
Once Rubio is a full go to return to NBA action, the Cavs will look to him to bring his impressive passing skills, the way he reads the floor and how he runs the offense. Cleveland is still a young, growing team, so Rubio’s veteran presence will be beneficial to help them reach their goals.
Raul Neto
As the Cavs await Rubio’s return, they used one of their final open roster spots to sign Neto to a one-year veteran minimum deal. Neto also will provide overall depth at point guard after the injuries Cleveland endured last season showcased a real need.
Neto spent the last two seasons with the Washington Wizards. In 70 games (19 starts) last season, he averaged 7.5 points per contest while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 29.2 percent from 3 in 19.6 minutes per game. Neto also dished out 3.1 assists and grabbed 1.9 rebounds.
Behind Garland, Neto can facilitate, playmake off the bench and help run the second unit. He’s also a strong defensive player as a point-of-attack defender, which can fit well with Cleveland’s defensive identity it established last season. When Rubio returns, Neto likely will be a third-string option the Cavs can use when needed.
RJ Nembhard
The Cavs have another option at point guard in RJ Nembhard, one of their two-way signees. Nembhard, who also was on a two-way contract last year with the Cavaliers, will split his time with the team, as well as the Cleveland Charge, the NBA G League team affiliate.
ADVERTISEMENT
In 15 games for the Charge in 2021-22, Nembhard averaged 24.5 points. 8.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per contest. He shot 44.6 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from 3 on 5.2 attempts per game. Nembhard appeared in 14 games with the Cavs, posting averages of 1.1 points and 0.9 assists in 4.5 minutes per game.
Nembhard spent the offseason working on expanding his game as a point guard and being a floor general. He focused on his ballhandling, building the consistency of his shooting and conditioning. At Las Vegas Summer League, Nembhard had an opportunity to showcase that work and lead the Cavs’ offense. As a point guard, he knows the importance of setting the tone defensively and making plays for his teammates and himself on the offensive end. He also could be an option at shooting guard.
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2022 10:00 am
This one goes here:
Could Cavaliers, Browns, Guardians all win Cleveland championships in same year? You bet
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 22: Cleveland fans celebrate during the Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 NBA Championship victory parade and rally on June 22, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors to bring the first professional sports championship to the city of Cleveland since 1964. (Photo by Angelo Merendino/Getty Images)
By Jason Lloyd
13m ago
Save Article
We all know the story. We’ve lived it. We have the stitches and scars to prove it. One championship in the last 58 years.
Now don’t get it twisted. It was one hell of a party six years ago. Cleveland was drunk for two weeks and it officially ended the 52-year famine in our Egypt. But it was only one feast.
ADVERTISEMENT
So what if it happened again?
Then again?
And again?
What if each of Cleveland’s teams won a championship … in the same year?
Don’t hang up. Hear me out. It’s bonkers, I know. The punch-line city becomes the puncher. Not just any puncher, but the ultimate heavyweight.
Plenty of cities have won two titles in the same year. Tampa Bay (Bucs and Lightning) did it in 2021, Los Angeles (Lakers and Dodgers) achieved the feat in 2020 and Boston did it with the Red Sox and Patriots in 2004. Even Cleveland did it in 1948 with the Indians and Browns, who won the All-America Football Conference all four years of its existence before joining the NFL.
But three? Three teams from one city winning major sports championships in the same year? It’s never been done, at least nothing I could find.
It could happen here. We’re entering that phase. All three teams are opening championship windows. It’s not impossible to believe it could happen as early as 2024.
Think about it: Another Cavs parade in June, then just about the time East 9th Street gets put back together, we tear it apart again for a Guardians party in November. Would anyone be sober enough to celebrate a Super Bowl championship three months later? Would anyone still be alive after three ragers in nine months?
Such a feat would reshape Ohio quite literally because Cleveland would break off, collapse into Lake Erie and float away to Canada.
This is what I kept thinking about as Donovan Mitchell was introduced Wednesday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, as he talked about growing up a Cavs fan primarily because of LeBron James.
”I was a LeBron fan, but I was a Cleveland fan,” Mitchell said. “It’s crazy how life comes full circle. Being able to be a part of that, between the fire and the intros, I remember the little things. I love playing in this arena. So to be here, I’m truly excited.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Mitchell is coming from one small-market, cold-weather city to another. He’s one of the rare stars who doesn’t seem to mind.
“I love the cold, to be honest,” he said. “I think I dress better in the cold.”
Deshaun Watson did not have the same initial reaction to Cleveland. The weather was one of the main reasons why he initially eliminated the Browns from his list. Now he’s here anyway on a massive five-year contract.
The city that traditionally struggles to land stars just swung two major trades for impact players within six months. Say what you will about Watson, but on the field, he is an elite NFL quarterback who immediately makes the Browns legitimate Super Bowl contenders — once he’s eligible to get on the field, of course.
Mitchell does the same for the Cavs. In an Eastern Conference that looks just as intimidating as the NFL’s overstuffed AFC, Mitchell’s arrival makes the Cavs legitimate contenders this season.
“I don’t want anyone to think that this year, we have to be contention or bust,” Cavs president Koby Altman said. “That’s not what this is.”
Fine. So let’s talk about 2023-24 when Mitchell will have a full season playing alongside Darius Garland and Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. When Mobley will be entering his third season and could be on the brink of superstardom himself, when Mitchell will be entering his prime and when an important role player like Ricky Rubio will be healed and a full year removed from his ACL tear. Kevin Love will be a free agent before then. Would he be open to returning on a smaller contract? (Kind of insane to think about given how the two sides wanted to stay away from each other, but not out of the realm of possibility to consider now.)
“This is a real runway here for these guys to grow together, learn how to play together and get better each year,” Altman said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Browns won eight games last season and narrowly missed the playoffs despite below-average play from the quarterback and kicker. They emphatically addressed both areas in the offseason, and while this season was dramatically altered by Watson’s 11-game suspension, key figures such as Watson, Nick Chubb, Denzel Ward and Myles Garrett are all under contract through at least 2024.
The Guardians are as young as the Cavaliers and are trending in much the same direction. By my calculations, the Cavs’ starting lineup on opening day next year should be 23.3 years old. The Guardians have the youngest roster in baseball right now and a four-game lead in the Central Division.
They have questions to answer, such as what to do with Shane Bieber. But Daniel Espino and/or Gavin Williams could be entrenched in the rotation by 2024. Jose Ramirez will be 32, young enough to still reasonably expect him to produce at an MVP level. How good will Andres Gimenez be in two more years? What pieces will this sterling farm system bring back in trade between now and then? Will the minority owners recently brought in be able to help the payroll flexibility in any capacity within the next two years? All of it is possible, perhaps even likely. None of it is unreasonable.
The baseball, basketball and football teams in this town have never reached the postseason in the same calendar year. Maybe it would’ve happened in 1994 when the Cavs and Browns reached the playoffs, but Major League Baseball’s strike prevented us from ever finding out.
It’s about to happen now. Given the ages of the rosters, the trajectory and the timelines in place, Cleveland’s social calendar is about to be overbooked with playoff games.
Maybe even parades. Multiple parades.
See you in 2024.
Could Cavaliers, Browns, Guardians all win Cleveland championships in same year? You bet
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 22: Cleveland fans celebrate during the Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 NBA Championship victory parade and rally on June 22, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors to bring the first professional sports championship to the city of Cleveland since 1964. (Photo by Angelo Merendino/Getty Images)
By Jason Lloyd
13m ago
Save Article
We all know the story. We’ve lived it. We have the stitches and scars to prove it. One championship in the last 58 years.
Now don’t get it twisted. It was one hell of a party six years ago. Cleveland was drunk for two weeks and it officially ended the 52-year famine in our Egypt. But it was only one feast.
ADVERTISEMENT
So what if it happened again?
Then again?
And again?
What if each of Cleveland’s teams won a championship … in the same year?
Don’t hang up. Hear me out. It’s bonkers, I know. The punch-line city becomes the puncher. Not just any puncher, but the ultimate heavyweight.
Plenty of cities have won two titles in the same year. Tampa Bay (Bucs and Lightning) did it in 2021, Los Angeles (Lakers and Dodgers) achieved the feat in 2020 and Boston did it with the Red Sox and Patriots in 2004. Even Cleveland did it in 1948 with the Indians and Browns, who won the All-America Football Conference all four years of its existence before joining the NFL.
But three? Three teams from one city winning major sports championships in the same year? It’s never been done, at least nothing I could find.
It could happen here. We’re entering that phase. All three teams are opening championship windows. It’s not impossible to believe it could happen as early as 2024.
Think about it: Another Cavs parade in June, then just about the time East 9th Street gets put back together, we tear it apart again for a Guardians party in November. Would anyone be sober enough to celebrate a Super Bowl championship three months later? Would anyone still be alive after three ragers in nine months?
Such a feat would reshape Ohio quite literally because Cleveland would break off, collapse into Lake Erie and float away to Canada.
This is what I kept thinking about as Donovan Mitchell was introduced Wednesday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, as he talked about growing up a Cavs fan primarily because of LeBron James.
”I was a LeBron fan, but I was a Cleveland fan,” Mitchell said. “It’s crazy how life comes full circle. Being able to be a part of that, between the fire and the intros, I remember the little things. I love playing in this arena. So to be here, I’m truly excited.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Mitchell is coming from one small-market, cold-weather city to another. He’s one of the rare stars who doesn’t seem to mind.
“I love the cold, to be honest,” he said. “I think I dress better in the cold.”
Deshaun Watson did not have the same initial reaction to Cleveland. The weather was one of the main reasons why he initially eliminated the Browns from his list. Now he’s here anyway on a massive five-year contract.
The city that traditionally struggles to land stars just swung two major trades for impact players within six months. Say what you will about Watson, but on the field, he is an elite NFL quarterback who immediately makes the Browns legitimate Super Bowl contenders — once he’s eligible to get on the field, of course.
Mitchell does the same for the Cavs. In an Eastern Conference that looks just as intimidating as the NFL’s overstuffed AFC, Mitchell’s arrival makes the Cavs legitimate contenders this season.
“I don’t want anyone to think that this year, we have to be contention or bust,” Cavs president Koby Altman said. “That’s not what this is.”
Fine. So let’s talk about 2023-24 when Mitchell will have a full season playing alongside Darius Garland and Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. When Mobley will be entering his third season and could be on the brink of superstardom himself, when Mitchell will be entering his prime and when an important role player like Ricky Rubio will be healed and a full year removed from his ACL tear. Kevin Love will be a free agent before then. Would he be open to returning on a smaller contract? (Kind of insane to think about given how the two sides wanted to stay away from each other, but not out of the realm of possibility to consider now.)
“This is a real runway here for these guys to grow together, learn how to play together and get better each year,” Altman said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Browns won eight games last season and narrowly missed the playoffs despite below-average play from the quarterback and kicker. They emphatically addressed both areas in the offseason, and while this season was dramatically altered by Watson’s 11-game suspension, key figures such as Watson, Nick Chubb, Denzel Ward and Myles Garrett are all under contract through at least 2024.
The Guardians are as young as the Cavaliers and are trending in much the same direction. By my calculations, the Cavs’ starting lineup on opening day next year should be 23.3 years old. The Guardians have the youngest roster in baseball right now and a four-game lead in the Central Division.
They have questions to answer, such as what to do with Shane Bieber. But Daniel Espino and/or Gavin Williams could be entrenched in the rotation by 2024. Jose Ramirez will be 32, young enough to still reasonably expect him to produce at an MVP level. How good will Andres Gimenez be in two more years? What pieces will this sterling farm system bring back in trade between now and then? Will the minority owners recently brought in be able to help the payroll flexibility in any capacity within the next two years? All of it is possible, perhaps even likely. None of it is unreasonable.
The baseball, basketball and football teams in this town have never reached the postseason in the same calendar year. Maybe it would’ve happened in 1994 when the Cavs and Browns reached the playoffs, but Major League Baseball’s strike prevented us from ever finding out.
It’s about to happen now. Given the ages of the rosters, the trajectory and the timelines in place, Cleveland’s social calendar is about to be overbooked with playoff games.
Maybe even parades. Multiple parades.
See you in 2024.
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2022 1:58 pm
Well that is pretty unlikely! maybe all 3 will be seriously competitive, that's good enough for me [well I have no interest in the Browns but won't object if they join the Cavs and G's in championship contention]
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2022 11:52 am
Cavs Donovan Mitchell ready to showcase his defensive skillset: ‘I can play defense’
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 28: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz warms up before Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 28, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
By Kelsey Russo
Sep 27, 2022
2
Save Article
The Cleveland Cavaliers built their team identity on their defensive approach last season, leaning on a three-big lineup and a gritty mindset embodied up and down the roster.
That roster looks a little different — with the addition of Donovan Mitchell and the departure of Lauri Markkanen — as they prepare for a new season, but the Cavs’ attitude toward defense hasn’t changed.
That’s why they prioritized it as they kicked off the first day of training camp Tuesday and began to lay the foundation for another strong defensive team. Mitchell is on board, vowing to change the conversation around his questionable defensive work.
By the end of camp, coach J.B. Bickerstaff wants his guys to have an understanding of what they can live with on the defensive end, and how they get opposing teams into certain shots or actions.
“Where your spots are on the floor, the technique on your closeouts, how do you take away 3-point shots, like all those small things, guys have to be really, really clear on because sometimes you’re gonna make a mistake, but you know that you’re trying to take this away,” Bickerstaff said. “So in my recovery, I just have to go get that done no matter what. And then the defense behind me can fix it. So as long as they’ve got a clear picture of what we’re trying to force and what we’re willing to give up, that helps guys figure out what we’re doing.”
The Cavs aim to protect the rim and the paint and limit the easy 3s. Guys like Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley and Robin Lopez can use their size and length to help achieve this goal. Bickerstaff recently told The Athletic he has “two of the best defensive bigs in our league,” referring to Allen and Mobley. Allowing their bigs to do their job down low then opens up opportunities for others to defend the perimeter.
While the Cavs have the size and length in their frontcourt, there are questions surrounding their backcourt, particularly in newcomer Mitchell. Last season, the Jazz gave up 105.2 points per 100 possessions with Mitchell on the bench and 111.7 points with him on the floor, per NBA Stats. He struggled in the playoffs to defend well, as the Jazz gave up 115.3 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor, versus 104.5 points with Mitchell on the bench over six games in their first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks.
Mitchell was also rated a bottom-20 defender in the NBA by FiveThirtyEight’s RAPTOR. He had a defensive RAPTOR of -2.7, which means the Jazz’ defensive performance fell by 2.7 points per 100 possessions while Mitchell was on the court.
“It’s not the ability,” Mitchell said on Tuesday. “I can play defense. I know that for a fact. I haven’t shown that and that is what I’m looking forward to doing here.”
Mitchell said his growth on the defensive end of the floor can be traced to attention to detail and focus. He recognizes that in playing alongside guys like Darius Garland and Caris LeVert, he won’t have to do as much offensively as he did in Utah, which can allow him to lock in on possessions. With decreased offensive usage, Mitchell believes he won’t be as tired and can have the energy to compete on that end of the court.
Mitchell also knows he needed to be in better shape to play on both sides of the ball. The Athletic’s Tony Jones reported that Mitchell spent time training this summer in Miami, doing track work, distance sprints and more to help with his conditioning.
There’s still an adjustment for Mitchell, though, in learning how to adapt to Cleveland’s defensive language and style. He’s still figuring out what to say on defense around his new teammates, he said. While he was in Utah, his former coach Quin Snyder used different phrases, so he’s learning the terminology of the Cavs’ coaching staff.
“I’m supposed to say ‘Nail’ when I’m on the help with the nail. (Coach Greg Buckner) said, ‘What is it?’ I was playing live; I didn’t know what the hell I was saying,” Mitchell said as he laughed. “I was like, ‘Help. X. Something.’ I’m standing there, just trying to figure it out. That was one of the funniest moments because I was just saying something. That’s the biggest thing I tell people, ‘If you don’t know what to say, just scream.’ Just say something, that way you’re used to talking. That way when you figure it out it comes naturally.”
Mitchell understands the level at which the Cavs played defensively last season. They had the fifth-best defensive rating in the league at 108.9 allowed per 100 possessions. Bickerstaff created the Junkyard Dog Chain, which was handed out on select nights to a player who showed significant defensive effort.
And Mitchell doesn’t plan to be the reason that the Cavs’ defense drops this season.
“We are here to go 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1,” Mitchell said. “Finding ways to do that. It starts with the little things – attention to detail, keeping my man in front, being there, making the extra effort to contest. That’s ultimately what my goal is here as one of the leaders on the team. Continue to put forth that effort on both ends.”
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 28: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz warms up before Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 28, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
By Kelsey Russo
Sep 27, 2022
2
Save Article
The Cleveland Cavaliers built their team identity on their defensive approach last season, leaning on a three-big lineup and a gritty mindset embodied up and down the roster.
That roster looks a little different — with the addition of Donovan Mitchell and the departure of Lauri Markkanen — as they prepare for a new season, but the Cavs’ attitude toward defense hasn’t changed.
That’s why they prioritized it as they kicked off the first day of training camp Tuesday and began to lay the foundation for another strong defensive team. Mitchell is on board, vowing to change the conversation around his questionable defensive work.
By the end of camp, coach J.B. Bickerstaff wants his guys to have an understanding of what they can live with on the defensive end, and how they get opposing teams into certain shots or actions.
“Where your spots are on the floor, the technique on your closeouts, how do you take away 3-point shots, like all those small things, guys have to be really, really clear on because sometimes you’re gonna make a mistake, but you know that you’re trying to take this away,” Bickerstaff said. “So in my recovery, I just have to go get that done no matter what. And then the defense behind me can fix it. So as long as they’ve got a clear picture of what we’re trying to force and what we’re willing to give up, that helps guys figure out what we’re doing.”
The Cavs aim to protect the rim and the paint and limit the easy 3s. Guys like Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley and Robin Lopez can use their size and length to help achieve this goal. Bickerstaff recently told The Athletic he has “two of the best defensive bigs in our league,” referring to Allen and Mobley. Allowing their bigs to do their job down low then opens up opportunities for others to defend the perimeter.
While the Cavs have the size and length in their frontcourt, there are questions surrounding their backcourt, particularly in newcomer Mitchell. Last season, the Jazz gave up 105.2 points per 100 possessions with Mitchell on the bench and 111.7 points with him on the floor, per NBA Stats. He struggled in the playoffs to defend well, as the Jazz gave up 115.3 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor, versus 104.5 points with Mitchell on the bench over six games in their first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks.
Mitchell was also rated a bottom-20 defender in the NBA by FiveThirtyEight’s RAPTOR. He had a defensive RAPTOR of -2.7, which means the Jazz’ defensive performance fell by 2.7 points per 100 possessions while Mitchell was on the court.
“It’s not the ability,” Mitchell said on Tuesday. “I can play defense. I know that for a fact. I haven’t shown that and that is what I’m looking forward to doing here.”
Mitchell said his growth on the defensive end of the floor can be traced to attention to detail and focus. He recognizes that in playing alongside guys like Darius Garland and Caris LeVert, he won’t have to do as much offensively as he did in Utah, which can allow him to lock in on possessions. With decreased offensive usage, Mitchell believes he won’t be as tired and can have the energy to compete on that end of the court.
Mitchell also knows he needed to be in better shape to play on both sides of the ball. The Athletic’s Tony Jones reported that Mitchell spent time training this summer in Miami, doing track work, distance sprints and more to help with his conditioning.
There’s still an adjustment for Mitchell, though, in learning how to adapt to Cleveland’s defensive language and style. He’s still figuring out what to say on defense around his new teammates, he said. While he was in Utah, his former coach Quin Snyder used different phrases, so he’s learning the terminology of the Cavs’ coaching staff.
“I’m supposed to say ‘Nail’ when I’m on the help with the nail. (Coach Greg Buckner) said, ‘What is it?’ I was playing live; I didn’t know what the hell I was saying,” Mitchell said as he laughed. “I was like, ‘Help. X. Something.’ I’m standing there, just trying to figure it out. That was one of the funniest moments because I was just saying something. That’s the biggest thing I tell people, ‘If you don’t know what to say, just scream.’ Just say something, that way you’re used to talking. That way when you figure it out it comes naturally.”
Mitchell understands the level at which the Cavs played defensively last season. They had the fifth-best defensive rating in the league at 108.9 allowed per 100 possessions. Bickerstaff created the Junkyard Dog Chain, which was handed out on select nights to a player who showed significant defensive effort.
And Mitchell doesn’t plan to be the reason that the Cavs’ defense drops this season.
“We are here to go 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1,” Mitchell said. “Finding ways to do that. It starts with the little things – attention to detail, keeping my man in front, being there, making the extra effort to contest. That’s ultimately what my goal is here as one of the leaders on the team. Continue to put forth that effort on both ends.”