2020 Offseason

[daddywags]

The fact that the Cavs signed McGee, Delly, and Dotson (veteran role players) tells me they have no intention of "taking a beating" and going for a high pick in next year's "loaded" draft. Those signings indicate the team wants to win this year.

There is definitely a veteran presence on the team with Drummond (8 years), McGee and Love (12 years), Delly (7 years), Exum and Nance (5 years), and Sexton and Osman (3 years). They have a nice blend of youth and experience when you factor in Garland, Porter, Windler and Okoro.

OTOH, I suppose you could argue that:

1. They signed Delly to help develop the young guards more than to help them win.
2. They signed Dotson because they're not sure if Porter will be on the team this year.
3. They signed McGee because they don't have a backup center.

I don't think that's an "either-or," I think it's a "both-and."

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Well, reports are Gilbert wants to see more wins starting now, so the moves to acquire Dotson, Delly, and McGee certainly make sense if that is the goal. There's no evidence they're interested in tanking.

McGee will get the most playing time unless JBB wants to go with a small ball lineup with Love or Nance at the 5 when Drummond sits down. Dotson will compete for scarce minutes at the 2 guard spot with Sexton, Porter, and Exum. I'm assuming Garland will start at the point with Sexton moving to the 1 when Garland is down. I don't see that many minutes for Dotson but they must have promised him a chance to play or why would he have signed here?

Delly signed for the minimum so we might have been his only offer. I see him more of a one-year mentor than a guy who will get consistent minutes.

 

[daddywags]

The way it's set up tells me that they will be happy with a playoff spot but won't be terribly disappointed with another lottery pick as long as they show progress toward playoff contention. They didn't do anything crazy like trading young guys plus future picks for veterans, which would have signaled "playoffs or you're all fired!", but they did bring in a few veteran backup players at key positions to help ensure that the thing doesn't become a total train wreck.

 

[Cavatt]

I think they should "try" for the playoffs. I don't think they will make it, but 9th or 10th would be great and getting to the play in tournament would be a tangible sign of improvement and would help their identity as a scrappy fighting team. That was happening at the end of the season

I keep saying it, but improving the defense is possible and would lead to 5 or more wins easily. Jb showed signs here that were really encouraging. If he can get them to do that I think we can have a fun young team that will challenge Chicago and Atlanta for those 9th and 10th spots.

 

[sailfish]

Jason Lloyd had a column in The Athletic with some off-season stuff...

The Eastern Conference will look dramatically different when the season begins next month. Teams such as Milwaukee and Brooklyn will be improved. Philadelphia already fits together better and Daryl Morey is still unpacking his suitcases. The Raptors, Celtics and Heat all have reason to believe they can win the East. In other words, the days of the pitiful little brother are over. The conference should have more depth and competitiveness than it has in a long time.

It will be tough for the Cavs to get into the top eight. With regard to the Cavs' 20-21 season Lloyd had this:

Before last season crashed into the pandemic, J.B. Bickerstaff had the Cavs playing much, much better in an incredibly small sample. But this is a team that will go nine months between competitive games. With no Summer League, no real offseason workouts, a condensed training camp/preseason and a shortened season looming, this is not the appropriate time to expect a big leap. Remember, Bickerstaff still hasn’t even had any real time to implement his system.

There is another draft coming in only seven months. It makes much more sense to wait one more year, take your losses again and collect another high pick in what should be an absolutely loaded draft next summer. Then set the target on 2021-22. Not now.

Take your losses? I don't think that's what Gilbert has in mind. But trading Love, losing a few more games, and getting a higher draft pick as well as salary relief would be good, but probably not realistic.

The most important position in the NBA these days is the wing. More specifically, athletic playmakers who can guard a number of positions. It remains the Cavs’ biggest weakness, even after drafting Isaac Okoro. It just so happens that next summer’s draft is filled with athletic wings. Trying to make win-now moves that would position the Cavs too low in the lottery to reach any of them next year is shortsighted.

Our draft expert, Sam Vecenie, believes there are at least five players (and maybe more) in next year’s draft who will be better prospects than Anthony Edwards, who went No. 1 last week.

“It’s a loaded wing draft,” Vecenie told me.

All of this might not be popular with fans who want to see improvement, but it makes the most sense for the long-term health of this franchise. Run it back one more time, take some more beatings, don’t worry about the wins at this point and secure another high pick in an absolutely stuffed draft. Then activate real expectations next fall.

Vecenie, incidentally, was bullish on the Cavs’ choice of Okoro.

“Ultimately, everything hinges on the shot,” Vecenie wrote. “If he shoots it at even a reasonable level, he’s a monstrous role player who helps you win as a secondary player. … If the jumper breaks right, he has real All-Star upside.”

Here’s how the East appears to stack up, once again, presented in tiers:

TIER 1: class of the East
1) Bucks- flopped in the playoffs; can Jrue help lead them to the Finals?
2) Celtics- well coached, perimeter heavy team.
3) Heat- peaked in the playoffs; can they keep the momentum going?

TIER 2: fighting to get to tier 1
1) Nets- the return of KD makes them contenders.
2) 76ers- Morey is remaking that roster around Embiid & Simmons
3) Pacers- no big offseason moves, but the return of Oladipo should help.

TIER 3: the question marks
1) Raptors- can they withstand the big losses of Gasol & Ibaka to remain contenders?
2) Hawks- they seem poised for a big jump after a productive offseason; just how good can they be?
3) Magic- quiet offseason; will be without Isaac this year due to a knee injury.
4) Cavaliers- nice blend of youth & veterans; JBB had them playing well after the coaching change.
5) Bulls- you have to figure Billy Donovan is going to help them, but how much?
6) Wizards- can the return of John Wall turn them into playoff contenders?

TIER 4: lottery bound teams
1) Knicks- should contend for #1 pick.
2) Pistons- their rebuild is just starting.
3) Hornets- the Hayward signing was a curious move for a team that doesn’t appear to be a playoff contender.

 

[ansatsusha80]

Jason Lloyd had a column in The Athletic with some off-season stuff...

The Eastern Conference will look dramatically different when the season begins next month. Teams such as Milwaukee and Brooklyn will be improved. Philadelphia already fits together better and Daryl Morey is still unpacking his suitcases. The Raptors, Celtics and Heat all have reason to believe they can win the East. In other words, the days of the pitiful little brother are over. The conference should have more depth and competitiveness than it has in a long time.

It will be tough for the Cavs to get into the top eight. With regard to the Cavs' 20-21 season Lloyd had this:

Before last season crashed into the pandemic, J.B. Bickerstaff had the Cavs playing much, much better in an incredibly small sample. But this is a team that will go nine months between competitive games. With no Summer League, no real offseason workouts, a condensed training camp/preseason and a shortened season looming, this is not the appropriate time to expect a big leap. Remember, Bickerstaff still hasn’t even had any real time to implement his system.

There is another draft coming in only seven months. It makes much more sense to wait one more year, take your losses again and collect another high pick in what should be an absolutely loaded draft next summer. Then set the target on 2021-22. Not now.

Take your losses? I don't think that's what Gilbert has in mind. But trading Love, losing a few more games, and getting a higher draft pick as well as salary relief would be good, but probably not realistic.

The most important position in the NBA these days is the wing. More specifically, athletic playmakers who can guard a number of positions. It remains the Cavs’ biggest weakness, even after drafting Isaac Okoro. It just so happens that next summer’s draft is filled with athletic wings. Trying to make win-now moves that would position the Cavs too low in the lottery to reach any of them next year is shortsighted.

Our draft expert, Sam Vecenie, believes there are at least five players (and maybe more) in next year’s draft who will be better prospects than Anthony Edwards, who went No. 1 last week.

“It’s a loaded wing draft,” Vecenie told me.

All of this might not be popular with fans who want to see improvement, but it makes the most sense for the long-term health of this franchise. Run it back one more time, take some more beatings, don’t worry about the wins at this point and secure another high pick in an absolutely stuffed draft. Then activate real expectations next fall.

Vecenie, incidentally, was bullish on the Cavs’ choice of Okoro.

“Ultimately, everything hinges on the shot,” Vecenie wrote. “If he shoots it at even a reasonable level, he’s a monstrous role player who helps you win as a secondary player. … If the jumper breaks right, he has real All-Star upside.”

I don't understand, why alot of people are worried about Okoro's shot. He's coming to an organization that has a history of fixing a player's shot or making them shoot better and they make it sound like Okoro's horrible....Compare to Lamelo,Okoro's shot looks way better his. They forget that the organization had to do a complete overhaul of Cedi's shot because it was horrible when he first came to the team.

And,people just ignore that Okoro was a great slasher at college.He can score that way until his shot gets better.

Me personally, people are making a big deal out of Okoro's shot.

 

[avs2000]

Well, reports are Gilbert wants to see more wins starting now, so the moves to acquire Dotson, Delly, and McGee certainly make sense if that is the goal. There's no evidence they're interested in tanking.

McGee will get the most playing time unless JBB wants to go with a small ball lineup with Love or Nance at the 5 when Drummond sits down. Dotson will compete for scarce minutes at the 2 guard spot with Sexton, Porter, and Exum. I'm assuming Garland will start at the point with Sexton moving to the 1 when Garland is down. I don't see that many minutes for Dotson but they must have promised him a chance to play or why would he have signed here?

Delly signed for the minimum so we might have been his only offer. I see him more of a one-year mentor than a guy who will get consistent minutes.

What reports ? Not sure what Gilbert’ med issues still are
Of course he wants more wins. Consistent losing is not good for young players

the young kids needed some vets
Delly is a great signing in that regard
We got another asset for McGee and we needed a backup center and we gave up nothing
Dotson was a great flyer to take

I am happy with moves so far. Especially when we are also adding windler and okoro and should see a improved garland

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

I don't understand, why alot of people are worried about Okoro's shot. He's coming to an organization that has a history of fixing a player's shot or making them shoot better and they make it sound like Okoro's horrible....Compare to Lamelo,Okoro's shot looks way better his. They forget that the organization had to do a complete overhaul of Cedi's shot because it was horrible when he first came to the team.

And,people just ignore that Okoro was a great slasher at college.He can score that way until his shot gets better.

Me personally, people are making a big deal out of Okoro's shot.

His shot is a concern no matter how you put it. It may not seem as an issue if he shows us early on that he is a better as a shooter than he has shown in college and HS, but as of right now it is a concern nonetheless.

Organizations don't fix shots. Players fix shots by practising hard and understanding their own flaws. You make it seem like every bad shooter can overhaul his shot and become a great shooter..it doesn't work that way. Some will still be bad no matter how much work they put in because their physical attributes like touch, arm length, lower body flexibility and posture simply limit their upside.

In Okoro's case he is well aware of his issues and he is willing to put the work in. However, he maybe one of those guys that have a bit of a stiff arm and lacks touch, so he may not improve the way he expects to. Who knows.

I will say that while Okoro has better form and % than LaMelo, you have to acknowledge that LaMelo shoots on much higher volume and difficulty. It changes the overall projection as a shooter. It is a fact.

With that being said, I'm optimistic, but I will not act like his shot will surely be fixed by the magic of our trainers. That's a bit too much for me.

 

[WorldFreeB]

Cody Westerlund
@CodyWesterlund

Auburn wing Isaac Okoro -- praised for his defensive prowess -- called his jump shot a C+ in college because he shot "flat balls." After more work, he calls his jump shot a B+ bordering on an A.

1:13 PM · Nov 11, 2020·TweetDec

If this is true we could all be in for a pleasant surprise and the coaches won't have to do a re work of his shot but maybe some tinkering.
If his shot becomes an asset he could challenge for rookie of the year. I'm optimistic.

 

[kriegs]

*shrug*

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

Wonder why we didn't send cash for a 2nd round pick in this draft. I imagine the value would have exceeded whatever we are getting here.
Rayjon is a G, but still.

 

[sailfish]

*shrug*

Interesting. Jazz must be clearing cap room for another move. I confess to knowing nothing about Tucker.

 

[NMCav]

Interesting. Jazz just be clearing cap room for another move. I confess to knowing nothing about Tucker.

Only thing I know is he was one of the best GLeague players for the first half of last season. Otherwise I know nothing about him.

 

[Cavatt]

Cody Westerlund
@CodyWesterlund

Auburn wing Isaac Okoro -- praised for his defensive prowess -- called his jump shot a C+ in college because he shot "flat balls." After more work, he calls his jump shot a B+ bordering on an A.

1:13 PM · Nov 11, 2020·TweetDec

If this is true we could all be in for a pleasant surprise and the coaches won't have to do a re work of his shot but maybe some tinkering.
If his shot becomes an asset he could challenge for rookie of the year. I'm optimistic.

He pulled out of the combine and only worked out for 3 teams. 2 who probably weren't going to take him in Minny and Warriors. If you are Minny or the Warriors, he would have had to be #1 or 2 on the board to take home.

The third team like him enough from what they saw to take him at the top end of his range. Of the 3 other guys they were linked to, the other guy we wanted Okongwu went next, and the other 2 Deni and Toppin slid. Cavs worked them all out.

Hard to make a call on Okongwu. They may have liked him next best, but I think it is fair to say they weren't impressed as much by Deni and Toppin and other teams in Cavs range agreed.

Pretty good odds imo his shot looks better or they at least think they can tweak it to be functional in that 33-36% range.

The Cavs must have really liked him, and he would have been stupid to pull out of the combine unless they gave him a promise. Anyway, my point is there is a lot of reason to think the Cavs know more than some other teams about him.

 

[ansatsusha80]

His shot is a concern no matter how you put it. It may not seem as an issue if he shows us early on that he is a better as a shooter than he has shown in college and HS, but as of right now it is a concern nonetheless.

Organizations don't fix shots. Players fix shots by practising hard and understanding their own flaws. You make it seem like every bad shooter can overhaul his shot and become a great shooter..it doesn't work that way. Some will still be bad no matter how much work they put in because their physical attributes like touch, arm length, lower body flexibility and posture simply limit their upside.

In Okoro's case he is well aware of his issues and he is willing to put the work in. However, he maybe one of those guys that have a bit of a stiff arm and lacks touch, so he may not improve the way he expects to. Who knows.

I will say that while Okoro has better form and % than LaMelo, you have to acknowledge that LaMelo shoots on much higher volume and difficulty. It changes the overall projection as a shooter. It is a fact.

With that being said, I'm optimistic, but I will not act like his shot will surely be fixed by the magic of our trainers. That's a bit too much for me.

My point is that people shouldn't make a big deal out of Okoro's shot especially when he knows he needs to put air into his shots...

This is the same thing people said about Sexton just two years ago and we all know how that went.