3. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers were another team that took some major steps during the 2021-22 season. Injuries did them in down the stretch, which pushed them into the No. 8 seed. They lost in the NBA Play-In Tournament to the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks, but this is a team on the up and up.
The Cavaliers acquired Caris LeVert at the trade deadline from the Indiana Pacers, but this is a team that could still use some help on the wing. Isaac Okoro isn’t a threat to score and the lack of wing options led to an unorthodox lineup of Lauri Markkanen at small forward, Evan Mobley at power forward and Jarrett Allen at center.
Cleveland suffocated opponents with their size, as they were one of the best defensive teams in the NBA throughout the season. But, the Cavaliers’ offense could certainly use a jolt and Miles Bridges could provide that for them.
Bridges could slide into the starting small forward position, giving the Cavaliers a go-to scorer to combine with point guard Darius Garland. Isaac Okoro, who was selected No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, is not a consistent threat to score the ball, making the team easier to defend when he is on the court.
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Adding more offense to the roster should be the No. 1 goal for the Cavaliers this offseason. Given the young players on the roster and the money they can spend, Bridges is a logical target for a sign-and-trade.
