The Cleveland Cavaliers getting a B+ in free agency seems right

Did the Cleveland Cavaliers really earn a B+ in free agency for 2022?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have quietly put themselves in a good position for 2022. The team has a solid lineup, and is deep at a lot of positions, while also having a few key stars that are coming into their own.

Led by the likes of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, the three Muskateers are set to lead the team to the playoffs for the first time without LeBron James being on the team in over 20 years.

To help aid them, the Cavs made some significant but not league-changing moves. Due to those moves, our sister site Hoobs Habit has given the Cavs a “B+” for free agency. While we respect Hoobs Habit, that doesn’t mean we’re not going to do our own evaluation.

Did the Cleveland Cavaliers have a “B+” free agency?

The names the article highlight are Garland, Ricky Rubio, Robin Lopez, and Raul Neto. I wouldn’t personally consider Garland as a “free agent”, though NBA.com does. For me, however, I’ll be removing him from my evaluation of the squad.

Re-signing Garland, even at the hefty price they paid, was the right call. The team can’t afford to lose yet another “franchise” guy, as they did with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, and Garland has lept in production and efficiency in each of the last two years. The ceiling is high for the kid.

Yet, free agency is about adding talent not already on the team. So, no Garland.

As for the other three names, it’s mostly a one-horse race. Neto and Lopez are bodies that will be behind a glass wall, broken only in the case of emergency. If someone gets hurt, sure, they’ll play but not before then.

So that really just boils down to Ricky Rubio, who was instrumental in the Cavs’ hot start. He’s not a great shooter, and he’ll chuck up a lot of shots, but his shooting isn’t where he shines. He’s a great passer, and an even better defender, something this team needs.

Trading him was an impossible task last year, but to get him back was a fantastic stroke of luck. His chemistry with Garland and Kevin Love brought the best out of both men, and to have him back for three more years at least is truly a great thing for this team.

Getting Rubio, on the deal they did, is alone worth a B+. So yes, I agree with the general grade.