Cleveland Cavaliers Off-Season Priorities
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a team in disarray. Maybe I’m the only one, however, I don’t feel the team is that far off from competing. What does GM, Koby Altman, need to do this off-season in order to right the ship? Well, first we need to figure out if Altman is the guy for the job.
1. Will Koby Altman Stay As the GM?
A lot of Cleveland fans have knocked Altman. He’s made some awful trades (Kyrie), some great trades (Jarrett Allen), and some that needed to be done despite the return (Kevin Porter Jr.). Altman has also found some gems through scouting.
His Kevin Love deal has somewhat set the franchise back. However, as John Beilein hire a year ago, that might have more to do with the owner, Dan Gilbert, than anyone else. I believe Altman goes, however, it won’t get better with anyone else as long as Gilbert keeps putting himself in the decision-making role.
2. Sexton To The Bench
This won’t get much support from Cavs faithful. Sexton should be a starter. With that being said, with Darius Garland and Issac Okoro seemingly looking like the more cohesive backcourt, Sexton doesn’t have the inside track to future success for the Cavs.
He needs to be playing with a distributor. Give him the 6th man role and pair him with a player like Dellevadova who can get him the ball. It doesn’t matter who the Cavs draft. Garland/Okoro/Wade/Allen need to start. The draftee can slide in somewhere in that lineup. Sexton gives them firepower off the bench. Think of how Jordan Clarkson is being used in Utah. Now, nobody really expects Sexton to agree to play the 6th-man role. That leads me to my next area of focus.
More NBA: Blaming Altman For Issues Isn’t Fair
3. Get Rid of The Problem Players
This really just relates to Kevin Love and Collin Sexton. Love has been a headache for the team this year and last. He’s a veteran leader, yet his presence has been far from endearing.
Sexton is unhappy in Cleveland. A move to the bench might be of necessity. He won’t go without a fight. These two, if kept, will not like the roles they are placed in for next season.
Sexton will get a hefty return and many Cavs fans don’t want to hear that, especially for a young star like him. We just need to really evaluate. He’s better off the bench, and that’s not going to happen, he needs to go.
As for Love, if anyone takes that contract, just deal him for whatever it is.
4. Make Your Core A priority
Garland, Allen, Okoro, Nance, Wade
Those five are the guys who give the team the best chance to win. You can add Sexton to this list if he accepts a bench role. You must also consider the upcoming draft picks in 2021 and 2022. Give the base group of guys time to gel, without distraction from ownership like Gilbert. The Cavs will be in the playoffs once again.
-Final Thought-
I don’t know where I stand on J.B. Bickerstaff. Part of me wants to see if he’s going to succeed. Meanwhile, the other part believes he’s outmatched and needs to be replaced.
Image Source: NBC Sports
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
