Factory Of Sadness
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3 things the Cleveland Cavaliers need to chase a title in 2024

By Chad Porto

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 18: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers waves to the crowd during the fourth quarter of Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 18, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 107-90. 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)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 18: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers waves to the crowd during the fourth quarter of Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 18, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 107-90. 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, OHIO – DECEMBER 13: Ricky Rubio #3 talks with Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter against the Miami Heat at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 13, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Heat 105-94. 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)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 13: Ricky Rubio #3 talks with Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter against the Miami Heat at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 13, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Heat 105-94. 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) /

Bench scorer

The Cleveland Cavaliers were hoping that Ricky Rubio, Kevin Love, and Caris LeVert would carry the load this year off the bench and that just didn’t happen. Rubio was cleared to return to action, but as we said when he came back, he’s not “back” yet for at least a few more months. The hope is that he’ll be closer to his 2021-2022 form by the time the 2023 season starts, but that’s just hope at this point.

Kevin Love is still a dynamic offensive player, and he’s proving that by helping the Miami Heat reach the Eastern Conference Finals, but his shooting has trailed off some in the regular season. It’s still hard to say the Cavs can replace him, as no one person on the team could do at least two of the many things Love provided on his own.

LeVert is likely gone and should be, far from a bad player but he’s a bad fit for the Cavs. The Cavs need someone who can pull up and hit reliable mid-range shots, while also being able to run around screens on the perimeter and hit three-point shots.

The Cavs don’t have that guy on their roster right now, and the hope is that through a trade or the mid-level exception, the Cavs will be able to fill this hole.

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