Geaux Damian Jones Geuax

[Smooth]

Not expecting too much but Jones is an interesting case..

As we all know, he was drafted by the Warriors and won two wings with them... He started a few games his last year but couldn't unseat Zaza, McGee, Bogut, David West, Looney, etc., for playing time... After that, he stumbled around to several different teams and then really came on late with the Kings two years ago... Enough to earn him a contract and starting opportunity with the Lakers which didn't go so well and was quickly traded... By all accounts, he seemed to have a productive, short stint with the Jazz late in the year that perhaps opened up some eyes..

Jones best skill is his athleticism on defense.. He's very bouncy and active, and is a pretty good rim defender and shot blocker because of it... He's just an okay defensive rebounder, and who's primarily played as a drop big... He's gotten mixed reviews on his perimeter switching/guarding but a guy with his movement skills should fare better than he does... One of the biggest issues defensively for him is foul trouble which shouldn't be an issue with the role he's likely to take on..

Offensively he's primarily a finisher and a vertical lob threat, which he's pretty good at... Interestingly enough he's sort of showed some 3PT range within the last two years (20/46 in 1500 minutes) which will be something to keep track of here..

Cavs didn't need much behind JA but they needed something... Whenever JA went down or went into foul trouble, the Cavs seemed to be scrambling... Lopez was a big body but was quite useless due to his slow feet and deteriorated body that didn't hold up defensively... Jones is young, active and athletic enough that he should be able to contribute in the 10-15 minute stretches when called upon...

The Cavs don't need much behind JA, just someone who can be active, protect the rim and convert easy looks offensively.. I wish they would have found someone who is a bit more physical and a better defensive rebounder but hopefully Jones is able to continue progressing in Cleveland..

 

[buzzdog]

I get that you have to take this guy with a large grain of salt because he has bounced around, minimum contract, and so forth.

Having said that, he's legit big and strong. He looks like he can bang in the paint, just a question of if he chooses to engage that way or not. And he looks more comfortable from 3 point range than JA or Evan.

Worth a flier as the 3rd big, to be sure. Hopefully he's a late bloomer who can raise his game and his value. He should see some minutes with our roster.

 

[cabs]

Not bad for a low minute big, has real size and started expanding his range. Hope he is mobile enough to not be awful out there. Would have preferred Bamba or Landale but looks like Landale got too much $$ from rockets

 

[The Oi]

If JBB can’t guide this guy into the elite sixth man role we all know he’s capable of, I think we can all agree a firing is in order.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

Never heard of the dude.

 

[buzzdog]

Never heard of the dude.

He never heard of you either.

 

[Hoodly]

Cavs didn't need much behind JA but they needed something...

The Cavs don't need much behind JA

Want to start with really enjoy reading your views and thoughts, especially the past couple of days with start of free agency.

However, have to disagree pretty strongly with the comments above. IMO the Cavs desperately are in need of a 3rd quality 5/4 man and don't think Jones is it. When looking at teams like Milwaukee (Gianis, Lopez, Portis), Boston (Williams, Horford, Porzingis), and the team that thumped the Cavs in the 1st round of the playoffs this past season (Randle, Robinson, Hartenstein) the Cavs most definitely need a bona fide 3rd interior guy and IMO a guy like Damian Jones is just nowhere near the level as those guys listed above.

In addition, as we have seen for a couple years now JA has significant issues wearing down at the end of seasons, which is even more of a reason a quality 3rd big is needed.

Suppose Jones as deep bench type of depth guy for throughout the year is fine (personally am more of a fan of what I saw from Moses Brown during his Cavs stint; and a guy like Thomas Bryant is significantly better) but will hold out hope the Cavs are still able to bring in a body who can offer more from the interior than Damian Jones.

 

[mAo_mAo]

If anything. JBB is one of the better coaches for him to further develop defensively. Offense be damned

 

[Jscc]

Want to start with really enjoy reading your views and thoughts, especially the past couple of days with start of free agency.

However, have to disagree pretty strongly with the comments above. IMO the Cavs desperately are in need of a 3rd quality 5/4 man and don't think Jones is it. When looking at teams like Milwaukee (Gianis, Lopez, Portis), Boston (Williams, Horford, Porzingis), and the team that thumped the Cavs in the 1st round of the playoffs this past season (Randle, Robinson, Hartenstein) the Cavs most definitely need a bona fide 3rd interior guy and IMO a guy like Damian Jones is just nowhere near the level as those guys listed above.

In addition, as we have seen for a couple years now JA has significant issues wearing down at the end of seasons, which is even more of a reason a quality 3rd big is needed.

Suppose Jones as deep bench type of depth guy for throughout the year is fine (personally am more of a fan of what I saw from Moses Brown during his Cavs stint; and a guy like Thomas Bryant is significantly better) but will hold out hope the Cavs are still able to bring in a body who can offer more from the interior than Damian Jones.

I would prefer another stretch big too.. that's why I mention Mo Bamba every other post on here. He checks all the depth boxes of an ideal third big for the Cavs. He's got genuine big man size and length, he's young and can play big minutes at either PF or C when needed, he can shoot spot-up 3s, and he wasn't that expensive. It's strange that there have been zero rumors linking the Cavs to him dating all the way back to the trade deadline when he was available. Now he's a FA and available again. Koby's not stupid so they must know something.

 

[NMCav]

Want to start with really enjoy reading your views and thoughts, especially the past couple of days with start of free agency.

However, have to disagree pretty strongly with the comments above. IMO the Cavs desperately are in need of a 3rd quality 5/4 man and don't think Jones is it. When looking at teams like Milwaukee (Gianis, Lopez, Portis), Boston (Williams, Horford, Porzingis), and the team that thumped the Cavs in the 1st round of the playoffs this past season (Randle, Robinson, Hartenstein) the Cavs most definitely need a bona fide 3rd interior guy and IMO a guy like Damian Jones is just nowhere near the level as those guys listed above.

In addition, as we have seen for a couple years now JA has significant issues wearing down at the end of seasons, which is even more of a reason a quality 3rd big is needed.

Suppose Jones as deep bench type of depth guy for throughout the year is fine (personally am more of a fan of what I saw from Moses Brown during his Cavs stint; and a guy like Thomas Bryant is significantly better) but will hold out hope the Cavs are still able to bring in a body who can offer more from the interior than Damian Jones.

I still don't know why people are so fascinated by Moses Brown. He was decent when he was in Cleveland. But he got pushed around. Had zero offensive game. Moses played hard but wasn't actually good at anything.

As for Jones. As a 3rd center I don't hate the move. He has flashed some defensively in the past. Last year with Jazz flashed the ability to shoot from 3 point land. He could be a late bloomer. More likely then not he's a nice emergency body that has more left in the tank then 35 year old Robin Lopez.

 

[Alec]

Will Diop make the jump anytime soon?

 

[NMCav]

Will Diop make the jump anytime soon?

He just signed an extension with his Spanish team through 2025. I'm guessing earliest would be next offseason. Most likely in 2 seasons though.

 

[cavsfever]

I would prefer another stretch big too.. that's why I mention Mo Bamba every other post on here. He checks all the depth boxes of an ideal third big for the Cavs. He's got genuine big man size and length, he's young and can play big minutes at either PF or C when needed, he can shoot spot-up 3s, and he wasn't that expensive. It's strange that there have been zero rumors linking the Cavs to him dating all the way back to the trade deadline when he was available. Now he's a FA and available again. Koby's not stupid so they must know something.

Bamba put up 11-8 on solid shooting (38% from 3, 56% from 2) and 1.7 blocks in only 25 minutes per game the year before last in Orlando, and since then it’s like he’s barely sniffed the floor. Not sure I get it.

 

[Hoodly]

I would prefer another stretch big too.. that's why I mention Mo Bamba every other post on here. He checks all the depth boxes of an ideal third big for the Cavs. He's got genuine big man size and length, he's young and can play big minutes at either PF or C when needed, he can shoot spot-up 3s, and he wasn't that expensive. It's strange that there have been zero rumors linking the Cavs to him dating all the way back to the trade deadline when he was available. Now he's a FA and available again. Koby's not stupid so they must know something.

Someone else said it best recently - theoretical Mo Bamba is better than Mo Bamba - which for the most part probably agree with, but IMO Bamba is young enough and flashes enough that I would probably take a flier and see if the price is right.

 

[ryanf]

Someone else said it best recently - theoretical Mo Bamba is better than Mo Bamba - which for the most part probably agree with, but IMO Bamba is young enough and flashes enough that I would probably take a flier and see if the price is right.

Well said. Bamba is the center version of cedi.