Since winning the 2016 NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers have shown no interest in even making an effort to emulate a team that made 4 straight Finals appearances just a few seasons ago. It’s time for GM Koby Altman to go.
Some things are out of the control of the front office. This includes the arrest of Kevin Porter Jr., a promising player entering his second year. He was arrested and eventually released on a weapons charge. Shortly after, KPJ was accused of an August altercation that included punching a woman in downtown Cleveland. Regardless, this franchise is in shambles and there is no foreseeable light at the end of the tunnel.
Draft Struggles
Drafting has absolutely been an issue for Altman and the Cavs. This was evident with the drafting of Darius Garland last year, one year removed from selecting Sexton as the franchise point guard. Garland played in a grand total of 5 games for Vanderbilt, with averages of 16.2 – 3.8 – 2.6 before injuring his meniscus and missing the rest of the season. In all fairness, he had a 33 point performance and was Vandy’s highest-ranked recruit ever, but maybe that isn’t saying much. Garland was underwhelming, to say the least, but the Cavs lucked out with Kyrie playing only 11 collegiate games before being drafted first overall in 2011.
It’s too early to make long-term assumptions about DG, but he was statistically the NBA’s worst player last season according to several metrics. Per Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, “Garland was last in Win Shares, Value Over Replacement Player and ESPN’s Real Plus-Minus — a player’s estimated on-court impact on team performance, measured in net point differential per 100 offensive and defensive possessions that also takes into account teammates, opponents, and other additional factors.”
Pertaining to this year’s draft, Koby Altman failed to pull the trigger on what ended up as a boneheaded move. The Cavs selected Isaac Okoro with the 5th pick in this year’s draft. I have no issue with this selection, as Okoro is an elite defender who fills a much-needed spot at SF for them. I would’ve preferred Deni Avdija, but it is what it is.
Why Not Trade Down?
My issue was not trading down. My problem lies within Cleveland declining to trade down with the Knicks, who offered the 8th and 23rd overall picks in exchange for their 5th overall.
I have no idea what “holding out for more” meant. Did they seriously think they were getting any other assets? I know the Knicks don’t always make the smartest moves, but this is a no-brainer. The Knicks were obviously dead set on Obi Toppin, who did eventually fall to them at 8.
The Cavs seemed to be higher on Okoro than any other franchise. It’s likely they still could’ve gotten him at 8, had they traded down. They absolutely could’ve fleeced the Knicks here and got their guy at 8, while also gaining the 23rd overall pick for basically nothing. Instead, they chose to do nothing and are now sitting here with only one selection and a missed opportunity.
Confusing Moves in Free Agency
I was bothered enough by their moves on draft day and then free agency started. Cleveland sought not to sign any major free agents and decided to let Tristan Thompson walk. Thompson, a Cavs legend, inked a 2-year deal with the Boston Celtics.
They weren’t completely absent from making moves, though. The team signed Damyean Dotson, Marques Bolden, Lamar Stevens, and Charles Matthews, all of which are relatively unheard of. They also acquired Rayjon Tucker and a 2027 2nd rounder in exchange for cash, but Tucker was waived the following day. Bringing back Matthew Dellavedova and signing Thon Maker are definitely positives, but these aren’t guys who are going to push your franchise enough to be a playoff contender.
It’s arrogant and obviously false for me to propose that I know anywhere near as much as an NBA GM and front office do, but these signings are puzzling.
JaVale McGee?
Then, there’s the trade for JaVale McGee. Although Jordan Bell and Alfonzo McKinnie weren’t focal points of the roster, there is literally no other reason to make this trade other than to do LeBron a favor. Bell has already been cut by the Lakers, and chances are McKinnie will be joining him soon. For Los Angeles, this trade was solely about making way for a roster spot and having cap space to sign Marc Gasol.
McGee doesn’t make the Cavs a better team. He could potentially mentor some of the younger guys, and he does hold championship experience. That being said, JaVale does not strike me as the smartest hooper in the league. His on-court performance is also less than stellar. Once again, perhaps the front office knows something I and many confused fans don’t, and hopefully, they prove us wrong.
It’s definitely a positive that Andre Drummond opts in for the 2021 season. There’s a good chance he’s traded without even trying to work out a longer contract. I didn’t really understand the reasoning for trading for him last season, but I’m happy with it now. Drummond is still a great player who brings rebounding and rim protection to a mostly small-ball team. He also frequently takes part in community service in the city, and he’s swiftly becoming a fan favorite.
Moving Forward
It’s infuriating that the greatest team in Cavaliers history just happened to coincide with the greatest team in NBA history. Although, there’s plenty to be grateful for in the championship they brought home. It’s also frustrating to watch former GM, David Griffin, rack up draft picks for a budding Pelicans team. Koby Altman has done nothing impressive since LeBron left, and a lot of his moves are head-scratchers. For the sake of myself and many other disgruntled Cavs fans, Koby Altman needs to go.