3 former Cleveland Cavaliers who could be helping the team right now

The Cleveland Cavaliers could use some help on defense.

We knew that Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell wouldn’t be the best defensive unit in the NBA, and at least Mitchell is trying but the two fo them together have just been plain awful. They’re easy to beat off the dribble and Garland doesn’t do a great job keeping his heels off the floor. It’s no wonder the Cavs can be beaten with the extra pass.

The team is over-relying on guys like Lamar Stevens and Isaac Okoro, two negative offensive players, to help slow down opposing defenses. That isn’t the only issue either, as backup center Robin Lopez is having a hard time keeping guys out of the paint, while his twin brother Brook has just become a Defensive Player of the Year candidate for 2022.

All of this has prompted many to wonder if a trade involving, maybe surrounding Caris LeVert, might be able to help things. That’s hard to say, but there are a few guys that, had the Cavaliers re-signed or kept, would be helping the situation right now.

Three recent Cleveland Cavaliers who would’ve fit with this squad

Isiah Hartenstein

I was a big fan of Isiah Hartenstein when he ended up in Cleveland and played lights out on both ends of the court. Watching him play well in New York is great, as he deserves to be seen for the defensive player that he is. Had he stayed in Cleveland, the Cavs would not have the same issues they’re dealing with now.

Larry Nance Jr.

The Cavs traded Larry Nance Jr. to make room for Lauri Markkanen and it wasn’t a bad trade at the time, nor is it a bad trade today. The move made it possible for the Cavs to get Donovan Mitchell, so clearly it paid off, yet Nance’s ability to play inside and out on defense was irreplaceable and while Markkanen and now Dean Wade, have played admirably in as replacements, Nance was just a different beast.

Matthew Dellavedova

It seems unlikely that Nance or Hartenstein hits the market anytime soon but the Kings may look to upgrade their roster to get closer to the playoffs, and someone like Matthew Dellavedova is only so good offensively. So the Kings could look to move him, and if they do, the Cavs would love to have such a staunch perimeter defender back. That’s a big issue with the Cavs, is having someone who is going to go out and cause issues against the team’s best ball-handler, and Dellavedova can do just that.