Following a Conference Semifinals defeat to eventual champions in the Boston Celtics. The Cleveland Cavaliers entered this offseason with major question marks. The Cavs have been relatively quiet, with most of their main moves being in-house, but they don’t seem to be done. So let’s grade their first two months of the summer.
Grading The Cavs Offseason So Far
Extending Donovan Mitchell
By far the biggest move the Cavs made or will make this offseason was keeping hold of Donovan Mitchell. Extending Mitchell was the primary focus of the Cavs front office heading into the summer. Finally, despite all the rumors saying otherwise, the five-time All-Star signed a 3-year 150.3 million dollar deal in early July. Keeping hold of Mitchell guarantees Cleveland a top-15 player and main member of their current core.
New Additions
Kenny Atkinson
After the season ended the Cavs first move of the offseason was firing head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. Bickerstaff was replaced by former Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson in late June. The move came as no surprise, after the Cavs playoff exit it felt as though Bickerstaff’s time was over in Cleveland. The hiring of Atkinson will certainly change the dynamic of the Cavs offense and bring in a fresh pair of eyes after five years with Bickerstaff. Atkinson has all the looks of being an improvement on Bickerstaff.
Jaylon Tyson
In the first round of this year’s NBA Draft, the Cavs took Cal wing Jaylon Tyson. Tyson has impressed thus far at the Vegas Summer League and it seems like he will be a rotational piece this season. Tyson is the only addition to the Cavs roster so far this offseason. However, he fills a need for a wing defender who can create his shot and will be a good fit in Cleveland.
Potential Moves
Evan Mobley
After extending Mitchell it is clear the Cavs are focused on maintaining their current core four. Evan Mobley is the only one of the four yet to sign an extension with Cleveland. Over the past week or so, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports that both sides are close to an agreement. Mobley is eligible for a 5-year 224 million dollar deal this summer which would keep him with the Cavs for the prime of his career.
The Cavaliers are expected to reach an agreement soon with Evan Mobley on a max extension, per @WindhorstESPN (https://t.co/O9fVHL7xd3).
Mobley would join Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes and Franz Wagner as players from the 2021 draft class to receive rookie-scale max deals. pic.twitter.com/XB65tg2cRC
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 11, 2024
Cam Johnson
Among possible summer recruits, none have been more linked to the Cavs than Brooklyn Nets wing Cam Johnson. Johnson has been in trade rumors since the Nets traded their star Mikal Bridges to the Knicks recently. They would be able to acquire Johnson via a sign and trade. Any such trade would likely include wing Isaac Okoro whose future is also in doubt. Adding Johnson to this roster would be an immediate improvement. Johnson has career averages of 11.7 points, and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 39.2% from three. Changing Georges Niang and Okoro with Johnson and Tyson could be the boost the Cavs need to be contenders.
The Cavs could show interest in Cam Johnson, per @ChrisFedor
“The Cavs love Cam Johnson. If he is available from the Brooklyn Nets, the Cavs will be involved in those conversations. There’s no doubt about that. The question becomes, do they have the pieces to satisfy what… pic.twitter.com/ce5YUZFo7H
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 26, 2024
The Last Word
Overall, when a small market franchise can re-sign their star player it can never be considered a disappointing offseason. However, the Cavs have yet to fix a roster that showed major flaws in the postseason just a few months ago. Major free-agent targets are already off the board, leaving it difficult for Cleveland to add any major contributors. The Cavs front office has their work cut out for them leading up to October. But, if they can add Johnson in any capacity this offseason would be a huge success.
