His offense has been shockingly better then I expected. Dude has shown a decent stroke. Needs to improve on defense but he may he a keeper as a nice stretch big off the bench depending on what other moves we make this off season.
Pretty much everyone on the Cavs has to get better on D, so he's not alone. Defense is just broken in Cleveland and has no hope of getting fixed until a new coaching staff comes in. Longabardi is probably the worst defensive coordinator in the history of Cleveland - and the Browns have had some pretty terrible ones.
Chriss needs to work on defense and his post moves. With the right work ethic and coaching, he has the potential to play good defense on the perimeter and in the post. He could bulk up a bit so he can be more effective in the paint, but needs to do so in a way that will not sap his speed and agility.
You can see when you watch him how much talent there is. Two different coaches in Phoenix and then a situation in Houston where he was never going to get PT or much coaching because Houston in in win now mode - they don't want to develop someone.
He's not 25, he's 21. Hope for him to grow and become a solid rotational piece at least, possibly more, is not a crazy thought.
It all boils down to getting him on a team friendly deal and finding the right coach who can put together a staff that can create a strong culture that values teamwork, defense, proper execution, etc while also encouraging players to grow. There are guys that can do that. The Cavs need to go all out to find them and then make sure they get the right players in trades, free agency, and the draft that can fit that concept.
And if they learn from Chriss that he cannot - that the attitude is a problem or work ethic is an issue then they walk. But if they see someone willing to be taught, willing to work, and willing to accept responsibility for his own success and failures then you keep him and work with him so he can grow.