2 former big men for the Cleveland Cavaliers are interested in returning but only one makes sense

Isaiah Hartenstein and Tristan Thompson are both open to returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are going to look for some budget-free agents in the offseason, due to their cap issues currently. Some names that have been tossed around are guys like Tyus Jones, former Cavalier Ricky Rubio and even just re-signing Rajon Rondo. Sure, that takes care of the point guard conversation but what about the backup center role?

The team does need some depth, as Lamar Stevens isn’t tall enough, and Dean Wade isn’t long enough to play a true-center spot against guys like Joel Embiid and two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Sure, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen can, but they’re starters, and you don’t want to stagger either guy. Playing them next to each other makes the most sense.

So that leaves budget-free agents.

Well, according to Evan Dammarell of Right Down Euclid, two former Cavaliers may be in play for the team. Dammarell writes that both Tristan Thompson and Isaiah Hartenstein are open to returning to the Cavs for the 2022-2023 season.

"Thankfully, there could be some effective, cost-controlled options on the market available to Cleveland. Sources even say a possible reunion could be on the horizon for the Cavaliers, as former players in Tristan Thompson and Isaiah Hartenstein are open to returning to the team. Both would bring immediate depth to what Cleveland is trying to build and, in the case of Thompson, could bring another reliable veteran presence into a young locker room as well."

Isaiah Hartenstein should be the priority for the Cavaliers and not Tristan Thompson

I’ve made my thoughts on Tristan Thompson clear, you can enjoy him all you want but he was the fourth-overall pick in 2011 and was barely able to start for the Cavs for most of his career. He was a glue guy who was never anything more than a solid defensive option. Yes, he has nostalgia going for him, but his figures are garbage these days. His run with the Bulls may have single-handily derailed their defense.

According to his RAPTOR stat, he’s been a negative defensive player in three of his last four seasons and a negative offensive player in his last six consecutive seasons. Whatever he was when he was young and motivated, he no longer is.

Hartenstein, on the other hand, has been a positive defensive player according to RAPTOR in three of his last four seasons. Especially with the Cavaliers, where he posted a +3.6 in 2020-2021. For comparison’s sake, Jarrett Allen posted a +4.1 for 2021-2022, before being traded Ricky Rubio posted a +3.6, Wade a +1.9, Mobley posted a +1.3, Rondo posted a +0.9, and Isaac Okoro a +0.3.

Hartenstein is 24 years old, currently and his best years are ahead of him. He also shot over 60% from the floor, and 47% from three-point, while averaging over eight points, five rebounds, and 3 assists per game.

All in just 18 minutes per game. His PER36 numbers are mad. He’d be a 17 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists player if given starter minutes.

It’s Hartenstein or nada. I’d rather have a rookie in the second round who can only rebound than go back and ask Thompson to do anything outside of cause drama.