The Cleveland Cavaliers have been quiet in free agency, but have improved the roster in the offseason. They had a great draft, which will help them continue the rebuild. With the 3rd pick in the draft, the Cavs selected Evan Mobley. Mobley projects to be a star and should fit well with the team.
The only free agency signing the Cavs have made was resigning center Jarrett Allen. They inked Allen to a 5-year $100 million deal. Allen and Mobley should be a dynamic frontcourt for the future of the team.
With that said, here are the Cleveland Cavaliers 2021 NBA free agency grades for every signing.
Cavs signings:
Jarrett Allen: A
Jarrett Allen was a much-needed resigning. He is a great young center that has the potential to grow even more. Last season, Allen averaged 12.8 points per game along with 10 rebounds. He also showed his defensive value by averaging 1.4 blocks per game.
Allen will also have the benefit of playing with Mobley. They are both young and can grow together to form an elite frontcourt duo. Their games also complement each other as Mobley can score from anywhere while Allen is a lob threat and rim protector.
For the first time since losing LeBron James to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Cavs have a direction for the franchise. They have built a solid young core that could become elite in the future. Guards Darius Garland and Collin Sexton have similar games, and rumors have swirled of Sexton being on the move soon. The Cavs should look to trade Sexton and build around the rest of the core. Forward Isaac Okoro is another player in the core that is a great wing defender.
If they can trade Sexton for more assets, the core will only grow more. The core has a perfect combination of defense and offense, and the Cavs are bound to have a great season.
Cavs 2021-22 season preview
The Cavs’ core could make them somewhat competitive this season. Last season, the Cavs finished 13th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 22-50. This season could be a completely different story as the team has improved, and they will have another year in coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s system. The Cavs could fight for a spot in the play-in tournament this season with the development of their young talent.
Young players like Garland, Okoro, and Allen look primed to breakout this season. Last season, Garland averaged 17.4 points per game along with 6.1 assists. He also shot a highly efficient 39.5 percent from behind the arc. Garland improved from his rookie season to the second season, and we should expect another jump in his third year.
Okoro had a good defensive season for the Cavs but had an up and down offensive season. He averaged 9.6 points per game but shot 29 percent from three. That is an abysmal percentage, and he will look to improve in that department next season. Okoro should improve his offensive game in year two, especially with an improved roster all-around.
That leaves Allen, who should have a career year. He has always left his stamp on the defensive end, and he’s always been a double-double player. Now, Allen has Mobley alongside him, whose play-style will allow Allen to flourish. Last year with USC, Mobley averaged 16.4 points per game along with 8.7 rebounds. Mobley can score at any level, making him a versatile scorer.
The Cavs have built up a great young core and look ready to prove themselves this season.