A relatively quiet offseason has still been productive for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Keeping their core intact by resigning both Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley is seen as major success. However, as the free-agency market dies down the Cavs are still yet to address a big need.
Cavs Yet to Address Big Need in Free Agency
The backup center position has been an interchanging part of Cavs’ rosters over the past few seasons. Most recently, the 2016 NBA champion with the Cavs, Tristan Thompson filled the role. He saw increased playing time as Mobley missed a part of the season with a knee injury. Thompson averaged 3.3 points and 3.6 rebounds on 60.8% shooting from the floor. The 15-year vet provided a spark off the bench with his aggressiveness on the boards, but it is obvious that he has lost a step. Additionally, Thompson is far from the modern center, he is unable to stretch the floor and because of this is a one-dimensional player. Thompson is not currently under contract with Cleveland after he signed a one-year deal with the team last September.
The Cavs brought in Damian Jones last season as well to play a role off the bench. He was quickly beaten out by Thompson for the backup center spot and played limited minutes last season. The former first-round pick appeared in 39 games where he averaged 2.7 points and 1.6 rebounds. Jones, like Thompson, is now a free agent and it is unlikely he is back in Cleveland next season. The Cavs received sub-par production from the center spot another reason the team struggled when Jarrett Allen went down in the postseason. The Cavs must bring in a solid option to replace the two bigs before the fall.
Who’s In-Play
Former Knicks center Precious Achiuwa would fit the Cavs bench perfectly. The 24-year-old is not a great scorer but a stout defender. At 6’8″ he averaged 1.8 stocks per game in a bench role with the Knicks last season. Achiuwa is not a prolific scorer, but the Cavs boast Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen as offensive threats from the position. Even so, Achiuwa registered 7.6 points and 6.6 rebounds in his role. The big man may lack the size of a traditional center, but he possesses the strength and skill to battle any seven-footer. He is not an elite floor spacer as he shoots threes at a 30.7% clip but is more than capable when needed. Replacing Thompson and Jones with Achiuwa would be an instant upgrade for the Cavs.
Achiuwa was not extended a qualifying offer by the Knicks in June, which leaves him open to sign with any team. However, SNY’s Ian Begley says New York is still able to complete a sign-and-trade for the big. That would allow the Cavs to become a potential suitor, as they are limited on cap space, trade would allow be Cavs to be more flexible. There is still time for the Cavs to find a player for their backup center spot, as they currently do not roster a big off the bench. However, they must find productivity from the bench behind Mobley and Allen especially if injuries derail their seasons yet again.
