The Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the best teams in the NBA this season and a potential title contender. With an overall record of 28-4, the Cavs not only have the best record in the Eastern Conference, but the best record in the league. But according to ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst, there is one thing the Cavs need in order to be a serious title contender.
“What they need, is they need big wing defenders. They need a player who can be a real rotation piece,” Windhorst said. “The reason that you would entertain touching the team is if you felt you could get an upgrade there. Because that’s where they’re going to be challenged.”
According to Windhorst, a team like the Atlanta Hawks has the advantage over the Cavs due to the size Atlanta has on the wings.
“That’s why they’ve struggled against the Hawks this year, for example. The Hawks have these gigantic wings,” Windhorst continued. “To get a big wing, especially one that can play offense too, is very expensive.”
Brian Windhorst is correct in his assertion that getting a big wing for a title push might cost the Cavs a lot in trade capital. One such player, Dorian Finney-Smith, is already off the market having been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal that netted the Brooklyn Nets D’Angelo Russell’s expiring contract, a young player in Maxwell Lewis, and three second round draft picks.
The Cavs have a player that sort of fits the bill in Isaac Okoro, but he isn’t quite the offensive threat that Windhorst is talking about. Okoro is also currently dealing with a shoulder injury and has not played since Dec. 16.
There is another player on the current roster that could eventually fit that mold, and that’s rookie wing Jaylon Tyson. But he is a rookie and isn’t featured all that prominently in the rotation. And the Cavs are set up to win now rather than wait on development.
