Although the Cleveland Cavaliers now have increased flexibility in free agency, they haven’t made use of it thus far. The Cavs have been in limbo between entering full-on tank move and competing for the eighth and final playoff seed. With Kevin Love’s lucrative extension, it appears that Cleveland has every intention of playing in the postseason.
Recent reports indicate the the Cavaliers are interested in big man Trevor Booker, and his addition only makes sense if the Cavs aren’t rebuilding.
Trevor Booker was drafted 23rd overall in 2010 by the Minnesota Timberwolves, who traded his rights to the Washington Wizards. In his second NBA season, Booker averaged 8.4 points and 6.5 rebounds in 25.2 minutes per game.
After four years as a solid rotational player, Booker signed a two-year $10 million contract with the Utah Jazz, and continued his strong play for the next two seasons.
Prior to the 2016-2017 season, Booker signed with the Brooklyn Nets, and had the best year of his career. In 24.7 minutes per game, he scored 10 points, pulled down eight boards, assisted on 1.9 buckets, and stole 1.1 passes.
During the 2017-2018 season, Booker was sent to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Jahlil Okafor and Nik Stauskas, The 76ers waived Booker a few months later, and he signed with the Indiana Pacers.
At 6’8″ 228lbs, Booker has good size for a power forward. He is an excellent defender, a solid pick-and-roll runner, and he gives tremendous effort. Last season, the Cavaliers were lethargic in nearly every game. It didn’t seem like the team wanted to win very much.
Booker would do much to fix that. He has a nonstop motor and plays with a chip on his shoulder. Bouncing around the league so much despite his solid performance will only increase the size of that chip.
Three-point shooting is Booker’s biggest weakness. He doesn’t provide any spacing, which is a huge disadvantage for a player in today’s NBA.
Since Trevor Booker will turn 31 in November, he doesn’t really fit with a young and rebuilding team. He would only take playing time away from prospects who need to develop.
But now, it appears as if the Cavs aren’t going to begin a typical rebuild. Booker may just have a spot on the team because of this.
NBA teams usually keep three players per position on the roster. Currenty, Cleveland has five big men on the roster: Kevin Love, Larry Nance Jr., Channing Frye, Tristan Thompson, and Ante Zizic. There is one more roster spot open for a power forward or center, and Booker could take it. If Love had not just signed an extension, Summer League standout Marcus Lee may have had the inside track on making the team.
If the Cavaliers wish to make the playoffs, they will need to improve their NBA-worst defense and effort from a season ago. Those two areas are Booker’s strengths.
Whether the Cavs are going to contend for a postseason berth or not, trading Tristan Thompson should still be a priority. He isn’t a bad player, but he isn’t good enough to be a franchise building block, and he’s certainly not good enough to warrant the $36 million he is owed over the next two seasons.
Thompson is also currently taking playing time from Larry Nance Jr. and Ante Zizic, both of whom are younger, cheaper, and better players. Booker is older than Thompson, but his a comparable player and will cost much less.
At this point in free agency, Trevor Booker shouldn’t be able to demand much more than a minimum contract. The Cavs still have the $8.3 million mid-level exception at their disposal, but there aren’t really any players available worth using it on.
Booker is not a long-term option for the Cavaliers, but he could certainly make a positive impact this year. He would likely come off the bench and play 12-18 minutes per game.
The issue with Booker’s fit in Cleveland is that he doesn’t give the team anything they don’t already have. In fact, with Nance and Thompson on the roster, Booker would be quite redundant, and the Cavs would then have three power forwards who cannot space the floor.
However, if the Cavaliers are able to find a team who will actually take Thompson, Booker would be a great replacement. He would be cheap, just as good as Thompson, and wouldn’t tie Cleveland’s hands for a future upgrade at his position.
Signing Booker wouldn’t make a huge impact on the Cavs, but he would certainly improve the team. However, it probably isn’t worth adding him to an already log-jammed big man room without moving on from Thompson.
In the right situation, and at the right price, Trevor Booker could be a very good addition to the Cavaliers.