Analyzing the Cavaliers’ Summer League Roster
The Cavaliers have been planning for three years now to get LeBron James back in 2014. If they can’t do this, then they will need to plan for the future of their franchise. With the NBA summer league, the Cavs can do just that. In this article I will be analyzing every player on the Cavs’ 2013 NBA Summer League roster. I will explain what they will do for the team, whether it be good or bad, and whether or not that player is a good asset for the Cavs to have in their organization. The Cavs have limited roster spots but a few of the players who were not on the teams roster last year can make a case to make the team this year.
Matthew Dellavedova- G 6’3, 196 lbs
Who is this guy? Dellavedova is from Australia, but went to college at St. Mary’s(CA). Last season Dellavedova averaged 15.8 PPGand 6.4 APG. Those are great numbers. Dellavedova is a guard that can score, but also look for his teammates as well. His game is similar to that of Rajon Rondo because they are both great all around players, but at the guard position. Delladvedova should make a big splash in the Summer League, and he has a very good chance of being the third guard on the Cavaliers.
Carrick Felix- G/F 6’6, 210 lbs
Even though I didn’t know who Felix was until the Cavs drafted him, I am still a very big fan of his. Felix could virtually be the next J.R. Smith. Smith is a great scorer, but at the same time is very versatile. Smith can play positions ranging from the 1-3. So can Felix. Felix is a great scorer; he averaged 14.6 PPG and 8.1 RPG last season at Arizona State. What really intrigues me is that Felix is 6’6 and he averaged around eight rebounds a game. With his rebounding ability, this guy will be all over the floor, grabbing rebounds, scoring points, racking up assists. If he doesn’t make the team come October, I will be very surprised because Felix is an amazing talent with a lot of potential.
Justin Harper- F 6’10, 225 lbs
Harper is tall, but he doesn’t have any weight on him. The Cavs drafted Harper in the 2nd round then traded him to Orlando for 2 second round picks. Harper just isn’t a player that the Cavs need to invest in. He doesn’t have that great of a mid range jumper and he also doesn’t average many rebounds for his size; for the 2011-12 season he averaged 0.9 RPG. With Harper, the Cavs should not waste their time on him.
Josh Heytvelt- F/C 6’11, 238 lbs
Again, this is a guy that the Cavs should not waste their time on. He went to college at Gonzaga and last played for a team named Tofas in Turkey. I know the Cavs want a center, but at the very least, they should try to find a quality one.
Cory Higgins- G 6’5, 181 lbs
Higgins is a combo guard from Colorado University. He last played for the Erie Bayhawks in the NBA Developmental League. Higgins could be a good backup shooting guard for the Cavs. Last season with the Bayhawks he averaged 18.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG and 2.5 APG. For what the Cavs need right now, those are good stats. Come October, I wouldn’t be surprised if Higgins gets a spot on the roster to back up Waiters.
Kevin Jones- F 6’8 250 lbs
I feel the same way about Jones as I do Felix. Jones is a combo forward of the future for the Cavs. He played in 32 games last season and averaged 3.0 PPG. Even though these point totals are low, every Cavs fan could see that Jones played well. He hustled after rebounds and overall just did his best for the team. Every team needs this kind of guy on the floor and I anticipate that Jones will have a more significant role next season because of his relentless style of play.
Kenny Kadji- F/C 6’10, 242 lbs
Kadji is a 6’10 forward out of the University of Miami. With Kadji the Cavs will have a big man presence down low. Last season at the University of Miami(FL), Kadji averaged 12.9 PPG and 6.8 RPG. Kadji can be the guy the Cavs need down low and I anticipate the Cavs signing him because of his ability to play down low, a position where the Cavs are currently lacking in.
Chris Quinn- G 6’2, 175 lbs
Okay let’s get this straight. Quinn is not making the roster this October. He’s too old and he’s just a really bad player. Is that final? Quinn is not making the roster.
Jermaine Taylor- G 6’5, 205 lbs
Taylor is a guard out of Central Florida that currently plays for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Developmental League. Last season Taylor averaged 22.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 4.0 APG. Wow the Cavs need to sign this guy. Taylor can clearly flat out score and that is something the Cavs need so they can take some of the scoring load off of Irving and Waiters.
Dion Waiters- G 6’4 221 lbs
Waiters had a great rookie year last season. He showed he had a good jumper and could hit a couple of threes. He also brought great penetration to the basket and opened the floor for other players to do well. Overall Waiters is the Cavs best scorer next to Irving and I anticipate him having a good sophomore season next year.
Tyler Zeller- F/C 7’0 250 lbs
Zeller showed he had some game last season. He showed he could run the floor well, and hit the boards too. He wasn’t too great on offense, but he can always work on the offensive side of his game. Overall defensively, Zeller is a good player to have down low and plays the pick and roll well.
The Cavs are looking to get the playoffs next season. With the roster they currently have, they have a great chance of doing that.