The Cleveland Cavaliers had themselves a very busy offseason
The Cleveland Cavaliers went on one of their most active offseasons in recent history with a singular aim to significantly improve the roster after finishing near the bottom of the NBA once more, tallying a combined 60-159 record for the past three years.
The Cavs made numerous acquisitions during the past month and a half, starting it off by selecting Evan Mobley with the third overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. They also wasted no time in retaining center Jarrett Allen immediately re-signing the 23-year-old big man to a massive extension as soon as free agency opened.
General manager Koby Altman and the front office then traded for Spanish guard Ricky Rubio, former Chicago Bulls lottery pick Lauri Markkanen, as well as potential rotation players in Denzel Valentine and veteran Euroleague guard Kevin Pangos.
With nearly all of the team’s roster spots filled and with a scarcity of outstanding wing players left available, it appears unlikely there will be any more significant additions through free agency.
A potential trade or two, however, is still very much in the picture given how active the team has been thus far. Word around the league is that they have been one of the most involved in trade talks to acquire the Philadelphia 76ers’ disgruntled All-Star Ben Simmons.
For now, let us focus on three of the Cavaliers’ most notable newcomers: Mobley, Rubio, and Markkanen.
Evan Mobley
Grade: A-
With the third overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected University of Southern California standout Evan Mobley.
The mobile 7’0” stretch big has drawn comparisons with recent Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Chris Bosh, as well as Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis.
Starting in all 33 appearances for the Trojans, Mobley averaged 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, and 2.4 assists in his lone year donning the cardinal and gold jersey.
He’ll have an equally important role in wine and gold, forming the Tower City frontcourt with Jarrett Allen that guarantees plenty of rim protection to compensate for some of the guards’ deficiencies on the defensive end.
While Mobley will need some time to bulk up and improve his interior finishing as he transitions to the NBA level, his ability to protect the rim, shooting touch, and playmaking will help make an immediate impact whenever he is on the floor.
Despite missing out on the much better-fitting Cade Cunningham in the Draft, Cleveland still managed to strike gold with the 20-year-old Mobley, a prospect widely viewed to be generational talent just as worthy of the top selection in any other class.
Ricky Rubio
Grade: B
Following the departure of Larry Nance Jr. and another fan favorite in Matthew Dellavedova, the Cavaliers were left with a desperate need for more adults in the locker room, and it doesn’t get much better than having veteran Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio.
The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup MVP joins the Cavs via a trade from Minnesota, where he averaged one of his least productive seasons statistically. He did recently had a breakout 38-point outing in a losing effort against Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, proving he has not lost a step.
Despite only being 30 years of age, Rubio is a very able veteran leader both on and off the floor. But more than the veteran savvy, his biggest impact will probably be guiding the team’s young backcourt of Darius Garland and Collin Sexton.
While admittedly not being in an ideal situation to compete as part of a contending team, Rubio relishes the opportunity to help lead the Cavs’ young players to reach another level—a la Donovan Mitchell in Utah or Devin Booker in Phoenix. It is no coincidence that he also had some of his best performing seasons alongside those two.
Now it remains to be seen whether Rubio will be around past the trade deadline, but it would greatly benefit the young roster if he does finish the season in Cleveland.
Lauri Markkanen
Grade: C+
Also joining ‘Tower City’ is the newly acquired former Bulls lottery pick Lauri Markkanen, who comes to Cleveland with a fresh four-year, $67 million contract via the bittersweet sign-and-trade deal in which the Cavs dealt away homegrown son and fan-favorite Larry Nance Jr.
The 24-year-old Finnish forward still has the potential to become a high ceiling player but is also viewed as one with plenty of limitations. Never mind being an immediate downgrade from Nance defensively.
Markkanen does still bring a lot to the table, especially on the offensive end. Despite losing significant minutes alongside his starting role in Chicago, he still averaged 13.6 points per game while shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc; a much-needed boost for a team wallowing at the very bottom of the NBA in three-point shots made last season.
One of the things that baffled many is Cleveland’s insistence to go after the seven-footer while failing to address the gaping hole at the small forward position.
Maybe he is meant to play a bigger role in the grand scheme. Perhaps even figuring in a potential trade?
All in all, the Markkanen deal ties a nice little bow on a relatively good offseason for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Very much a refreshing change from the idleness of the past.