Cavs year-end report card and awards for the 2020-2021 season

Mid-Year Grades

Firstly, players who aren’t listed were deemed as having not done enough to warrant a grade and will be given an “incomplete”. Secondly, the scale won’t be about talent but expectations measured against execution. If an undrafted rookie is playing well, they might get a “B”, while a top-10 pick who’s scoring a lot may get a “C”. It’s all about the scale.

The “A” Players

No player earned an “A” this year. An “A” is reserved for franchise stars who can carry a team regardless of the talent around them. The Cavs clearly don’t have their next “Franchise Face” yet and that’s beyond obvious.

The “B” Players

The Cavs did have some solid players this year, mostly Collin Sexton, and Darius Garland. Sexton averaged career highs in points and assists while Garland’s second half was transformative with how the league and pundits see him. Sexton’s lack of defense and overall distribution of the ball will hold him back from being an “A” tier player but Garland could very well be there next year if he steps up in 2021-2022.

The “C” Players

Tip of the cap to Cedi Osman, who rebounded nicely after slumping for some of the season. He’s got all the talent in the world but needs to be on the court, so you can’t give Larry Nance any higher than this if he keeps getting hurt. A lack of offensive consistency limited Jarrett Allen and his ceiling defensively may have already been reached. While playing limited minutes, Isaiah Hartenstein and Dean Wade both showed they had something to offer on opposite sides of one another. Taurean Prince played well, sometimes.

The “D” Players

No real offense and constant injuries limited Matthew Dellavedova in 2020-2021, but he still has value to the team. Injuries, limited mobility, poor defense, and streaky shooting have seemingly ended Kevin Love and his tenure in Cleveland. Dylan Windler, are you ever going to be healthy?

The “F” Players

Damyean Dotson. Just Damyean Dotson.