Reggie Bullock is not the “dream target” for the Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers need to do better than Reggie Bullock.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are in need of several things this offseason. They need a third big they can rely on against bigger bodies in the playoffs, probably another shooter off the bench, and a starting small forward who can shoot and play defense. To what degree is mostly irrelevant, as long as he has those skills he’ll be a massive upgrade over Isaac Okoro and Caris LeVert.

Now, there may be some guys that the team can swing for depending on price and whatnot, names like Khris Middleton and Tobias Harris may be available for a sign and trade, while Gordon Hayward also remains a possibility.

One name that Cavs’ fans should not accept as an “upgrade” is Reggie Bullock, who one Bleacher Report writer pegs as the team’s “dream” addition for an offseason trade. Bullock, who is a net-negative player for the Dallas Mavericks, is being pitched by the Bleacher Report article as an upgrade over LeVert and Okoro, with the author writing;

"He may not blow the doors off Cleveland’s in-house competition for the 3 spot, but with a better shot than Isaac Okoro and better defense than Caris LeVert, Bullock could soak up both the starting and closing minutes at small forward."

The problem is, he’s not an upgrade in any way, shape, or form.

The Cleveland Cavaliers need to keep their distance from a Reggie Bullock trade

Let’s be clear, Bullock is getting the minutes he’s getting in Dallas because they have no one else, not because Bullock is such a good player. Anyone who’s read any articles this season knows how I feel about LeVert, he’s not a good fit for this squad. Personally, I enjoy him, but he doesn’t fit with what this team needs.

Despite that, I’d rather have LeVert over Bullock. For the year, Bullock posted a -2.2 OBPM and a -0.3 DPBM on a defensive-minded team. Are we really thinking he’s an upgrade over LeVert? LeVert posted a -1.0 OPBM and a +0.8 on defense. Clearly, LeVert can do better with the Cavs than Bullock.

Because it’s not just about how good someone is on offense, at least not with the Cavs. Their defense matters. So unless Bullock is scoring like Middleton or Hayward, the Cavs need to factor in how every player impacts the team on both sides of the court. Bullock’s offensive contributions are minimal at best. If they were more robust, sure, take the rider and see if he can fit with the squad.