Cavs: 3 other big names not named Ben Simmons the team should pursue

By Chad Porto | Sep 16, 2021

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 03: Malcolm Brogdon #7 of the Indiana Pacers looks for a pass while being defended by Isaac Okoro #35 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 03, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

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CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 5: CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks for a route to the basket at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on May 5, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Portland Trail Blazers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 141-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lauren Bacho/Getty Images)

SG C.J. McCollum

Admittedly, C.J. McCollum would be a better player to try and get as a complimentary piece in any other trade. He’s an elite-level shooter, but McCollum isn’t the same high-level passer as Ben Simmons and he’s arguably not as good as a distributor as Malcolm Brogdon. That’s fine, that’s not his game. That’s the point though, McCollum really shouldn’t be viewed as the big piece to get you over the hump, more like the last piece to the puzzle.

So unlike Brogdon or Simmons, you’d only go after McCollum if you’re already playing well and in the hunt for the playoffs. If come March, the Cavs are over .500 and hammering away on opponents, that’s when you’d go get McCollum.

McCollum is an elite scorer and hovers around 40% from the three-point line nearly every game. He’s able to stretch the floor and score inside. The big issue with McCollum is that he’s not a very tall guard, at only 6’3. The good news is that he’s usually around a 0.0 on the defensive +/- side of things. That means that he’s not a liability, he’s just not a stopper. He can hang with a team’s third-best shooting option and do good work.

Even though it doesn’t impact the roster in any way, he’s a local guy and a fan of Cleveland sports. He’d be someone who would give it his all, and for that reason alone I’d love to see him as a Cavalier.

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