Cleveland Cavaliers' Future Outlook
What in the world did the Cavaliers do when they acquired Andre Drummond from Detroit at the trade deadline? Seriously, with Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson around, what do they need him for? He's not going to decline his player option and become a free agent, so they will have both him and Love next season for big money. They will also have two young point guards, and apparently are rumored to be interested in LaMelo Ball (a third point guard) as well. This Cleveland franchise is one that has struggled without LeBron James around (which makes sense) and for some reason can't seem to do anything right when he isn't around. They also parted ways with their second head coach post-LeBron already, and likely won't retain JB Bickerstaff. So, in three years they will have four head coaches. I thought the Browns were the franchise that was misguided. Here is an outlook on the Cavaliers' future.
WHO'S GONE: C Tristan Thompson, PG Matthew Dellavedova, C Ante Zizic, SG Malik Newman, C Marques Bolden
The last three players are basically 10-day contract players, so they won't be much of a factor either way. Drummond also has the aforementioned player option, and since his skill set really isn't desired much anymore I believe that he won't be opting out. Dellavedova is a good backup point guard who plays defense, but he's replaceable at this stage. Thompson likely will be gone as well with Drummond around, and it will be interesting to see what kind of contract he gets elsewhere.
WHO'S LEFT:
C-Andre Drummond
PF-Kevin Love, Larry Nance, Alfonzo McKinnie
SF-Cedi Osman, Dylan Windler
SG-Collin Sexton, Kevin Porter
PG-Darius Garland, Dante Exum
The Cavaliers have aging big men, and young guards and wings. Everybody that is a small forward or guard is under the age of 25, whereas every big man is at least 27. Love is the only 30+ year old on the roster, and he has the biggest contract on the team. This group reminds me somewhat of what the Pistons have with their roster and the Love-Blake Griffin comparison based on age, injuries and contracts.
I like the thought of trying to find a great point guard by using two high picks in a row, and Sexton is showing that he can score some points. Garland is more of the playmaker and passer of the two. Exum is an interesting player to have here as well, since the Jazz gave up on him and he hasn't really been as good as advertised since his NBA arrival.
WHAT'S NEXT:
I think you need to try and see what happens with these guards, and find out if Garland or Sexton is who you want to build around. The Cavaliers are likely to get a top five pick again, but drafting a point guard like Cole Anthony or LaMelo Ball is not a good decision since that is their strength at this point in their future. Draft a wing or a big man, since Drummond likely won't be around in a year and a half.
As far as Drummond and Love go, I think waiting out Drummond's deal is probably what they should do, since it's a short contract anyway. He's not good enough to get this squad a bunch of wins anyways. As far as Love, trading him before he gets too old is their best hope to avoid having him until the 2023 off-season. Even if Sexton and Garland improve significantly, do we really think this team is going to be a contender at this point? Get assets, find young wings and bigs to play alongside of the young back court, and wait. Maybe the Cavaliers will wind up finding the next LeBron if they keep losing.
