The Cleveland Cavaliers have pulled off an impressive 19-13 start to the 2021-22 NBA season.
As the trade deadline approaches, could the team pull off a win-now move to solidify their placement as a contender in the Eastern Conference ahead of the playoffs?
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cleveland Cavaliers are ‘one team to watch’ in potential trade talks for Ben Simmons as the February deadline approaches.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are one team to watch in trade talks for Simmons. The Cavs previously had interest in the disgruntled Philadelphia 76ers star. Cleveland’s good start to the season, plus Simmons fitting their roster’s timeline age-wise, make them a good match for Simmons.
There are some concerns with how Simmons would actually fit from a basketball standpoint with the Cavaliers based on the team’s current configuration of their roster.
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For starters, the Cavaliers are playing two big men in the starting lineup. Evan Mobley is an ultra-versatile big man and Jarrett Allen is a high-level rim protector. Pairing Ben Simmons’ elite defensive impact with both of those players would pose quite an intriguing combination of skill-sets on that end.
Where the concern would be for the Cavaliers is the fit within the half-court on offense. Simmons isn’t a shot creation threat whatsoever and has regressed sharply at the free throw line. Would a unit be able to function well enough with two big men alongside him?
Darius Garland has emerged as the Cavaliers’ top initiator and taking the ball out of his hands wouldn’t make much sense. So, let’s say he still has the ball in his hands early on. Allen is often a screener or in the dunker’s spot while Mobley is shooting 33.3% from deep on 1.7 attempts per game. Where would that leave Simmons?
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Teams could simply leave Ben Simmons open on the three-point line if he were to space from the corner or the wing. Having him fill the dunker’s spot would impact high ball screening actions. Also, what role is he content with playing? If he wants to be an initiator, there would already be overlap.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have shown us one thing, they can try creative lineup combinations and have them work. So, perhaps they could test things out and make determinations later.
Now, where it gets is interesting is in the potential return for the Philadelphia 76ers. Would they be content with acquiring Collin Sexton in a deal? Keep in mind, he will be a restricted free agent this offseason and is currently sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL.
