The Cleveland Cavaliers made a huge acquisition this week when they acquired NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz. They saw an opportunity to upgrade their roster and jumped at it. Even better for them is that it didn’t cost them anything from their current burgeoning core.
Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton and Ochai Agbaji are the players heading to Salt Lake City as the Cavaliers held onto their most important players long-term. J.B. Bickerstaff made the most of Markkanen playing small forward last season, but three-big lineups likely weren’t sustainable over the long haul.
With the emergence of Darius Garland and the Cavaliers handing the keys to the franchise to him, Sexton’s role was changing. He played in only 11 games last season because of a meniscus tear and the rest is history. He was in a standoff with the Cavaliers about his next contract as he signed a four-year, $72 million deal as part of the trade.
Mitchell will slide into his spot in the lineup giving Cleveland one of the most dynamic backcourt duos in the league. As one scout shared with NBA Analysis Network, Mitchell improve a lot of the team’s weaknesses.
“The Cavs needed another threat to make plays with the ball to pair with Garland consistently, and Mitchell goes above and beyond in that respect. He’s great out ball screens and is another iso-scoring threat. Most teams don’t have the personnel to handle two shifty guards that can make tough shots like them. … Cleveland still needs more shooting, but at least Mitchell brings a boost there, too. He will need to compete a lot more defensively than he did last year.”
Some of the improvement in the shooting department could come from the continued development of some of the young players such as Evan Mobley. The No. 3 overall pick from the 2021 NBA Draft was the runner-up for the Rookie of the Year award and is oozing with potential.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
Mobley has not only All-Star but All-NBA potential with the impact that he can make on both ends of the court. He is one of the key players to the Cavaliers continuing to ascend.
“Mobley’s shooting will be a big factor to watch. It will be challenging playing two bigs together in the playoffs if he can’t knock down catch-and-shoot jumpers when spacing out. Garland has adapted scoring within tight windows, but it opens things up a lot if Mobley can knock space out and draw a defender out more.”
Mobley could very well be the fourth All-Star on the roster. Mitchell has already reached that point along with Garland and Jarrett Allen. Allen has cemented himself as one of the premier young big men in the NBA.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
However, the scout did caution that changes could come down the road. Allen is excellent at what the Cavaliers ask of him, but the ceiling could be exponentially higher with Mobley in the middle with small ball being as popular as ever in the league.
“Allen is great at what he does, but long-term, the potential with Mobley at the five next to Garland and Mitchell is really intriguing. They need Okoro to develop quickly and to add another wing to have a great small lineup, but that switching ability Mobley has could tie it all together well.”
Isaac Okoro figuring things out with his jump shot would go a long way to improving the team. He has the chops to be a very strong defender, but his offense has a long way to go. If he can develop into just a league-average 3-point shooter, it will help elevate Cleveland to another level.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
The Cavaliers are going to be a very good team with the addition of Mitchell. But, as the scout mentioned, they may not reach their full potential until they add another wing to the mix. Allen could certainly be the centerpiece in such a deal down the road.
