Evan Mobley appears to be the best candidate to start at power forward when the Cavaliers open their season, writes Kelsey Russo of The Athletic. The No. 3 pick in this year’s draft showed during Summer League that he’s mobile enough to handle the power forward duties. The coaching staff is reluctant to use Mobley extensively at center until he adds more muscle, so he’ll probably play alongside Jarrett Allen, giving the team two seven-foot rim protectors on defense.
If Mobley is named the starter, that will mean bench roles for veterans Kevin Love and Larry Nance Jr. The Cavaliers have already spoken to Love about reducing his time on the court, and he talked last month about no longer being the No. 1 option who plays 35 minutes per night. Russo notes that Love, who still has two years and more than $60MM left on his contract, can still be valuable as a floor-spacer and rebounder.
Nance is coming off an injury-plagued season, but he started 27 of the 35 games he appeared in and averaged a career-high 31.2 minutes per night. He’s useful as a big man who can pass and defend, and he provides a veteran on-court presence for a very young team. Nance is also under contract for two more seasons, but only at a total of a little more than $20MM.
There’s more from Cleveland:
- Newly-acquired Ricky Rubio will probably be used off the bench, as the starting backcourt of Collin Sexton and Darius Garland remains together, Russo adds. Rubio is expected to run the offense with the second unit and can defend either guard position.
- Allen left a contending team when the Nets traded him to Cleveland in January, but he didn’t hesitate to re-sign with the Cavs this summer, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Allen’s new five-year, $100MM contract means he will be a long-term part of the rebuilding process. “Seeing a team like this, knowing what it takes, we have all the right guys and the right mindsets to do it,” he said. “So, I thought, ‘Hey, I’m willing to be part of this again, especially with these guys.’ I see a bright future here that I fit in perfectly.”
- The new schedule that was announced Friday includes a tough early stretch that could set the tone for the Cavs’ entire season, Fedor notes in a separate story. Cleveland has one of the most difficult starts in the league, with eight of its first 11 games on the road and 11 of the first 12 against teams that were in the playoffs last season.
Starting lineup age will be 23, 22, 21, 20, & 20 y/o. With an absolutely brutal schedule to start the season, I am expecting a very slow start. But then again who wasn’t. As much as Cavs want to “win now”, this year and next year are all about creating chemistry, especially since on paper this team’s potential is incredible.
Great username fella!
You’re gosh darn right it is!!
Lol thanks. I think it was about time I got ride of the “Love” in LoveSexLand out of my name.
It’s very unlikely the lottery picks Altman assembled along with Allen will become a successful starting five. Two players are out of position in Sexton, Okoro, maybe Mobley. The team needs a new approach in assembling a winning cohesive starting unit who isn’t biased with the drafted young core, and is willing to make revisions and modifications for the benefit of winning basketball.
But Sexton and Okoro aren’t out of position. After Garland and Delly were out for the majority of the year, Sexton proved that he is a very talented player, but he cannot play PG long term. As for Okoro, he is a ripped 6’6 wing who can, yes, play SG, but can play SF for his career as he has the size to and is good enough to defend them. Allen is a very smart and talented P&R player and Garland, when healthy, showed how they have great chemistry. Mobley can definitely play the four, and his passing will only benefit Allen and all of the other players. But, as always, time will tell.
Okoro is not 6’6” tall he is 6’4” I attended games courtside and he is 3” shorter than Evan Fournier and 2” shorter than Windler, shorter than Kevin Porter jr. I am certain. Sexton a 6’1” shooting guard with a 6’1” point guard and 6’4” forward along with two tall players Allen and Mobley. I hope it’s successful as I pay alot of money for tickets yet I am doubtful. Conley, Mitchell are short as are Lowry, Van Fleet. Maybe the Cavs are a similar exception and finally become a winning team.
Well he is listed as 6’5 on NBA website and have never sat courtside so I guess I am wrong about his height. But still, dude is built like an Ox. He can hold down the 3 spot for now at least. Yeah I definitely hope they can be an exception, but this year might be the year of seeing what players need to be traded away and added to this young core.
“I attended games court side” hahahaha we already think your cool man
parx I think he was going for ability to estimate height, rather than cool.
Okoro is listed at 6-5… him at 6-4 would explain some things!
I will keep a watch for a guy in the first row with surveying equipment.
@William
Well since you sit courtside stand up next time and run out to the court with a tape measure and see how right you are.
Mr I attend games court side…. I coached against Okoro in HS aau. I’m 6’1 barefoot and he’s def 6’5 maybe alittle taller. I had a legit 6’5 kid barefoot and Okoro is def the same size maybe alittle bigger then he was. But hey what do I know. Never sat courtside
Jeff Phelps, Cavs tv host says Okoro is 6’4” and he sees him closeup on a regular basis. If Okoro is the same height he was last season he is definitely shorter than 6’5”. Most players over estimate their height. Evan Fournier seemed 3” taller than Okoro and Kevin Porter listed as 6’4” seemed taller also. but I think he is about 6’5” seemed taller than Harden. Small forwards are usually 6’7” with 8’9” standing reach Okoro is far from that.
@William
Sexton is a primary 2 guard. Okoro can play both SG/SF. Mobley can grow into the C position, especially if he gains muscle but has the obvious skill set to thrive at PF. Not sure what you’re missing.
The reality is the core of the four lottery picks and another early selection June 23 2022 will not play together for several years if the team can’t win at least 35 games. The master plan is keep losing for 5 years assemble 6 lottery picks and hope they jell as a team and are successful? Most high school kids would have a more elaborate strategy than Altman.
I love it when people say stuff like that, like really? High schoolers have a better strategy? Why don’t you elaborate on that comment by telling us what your strategy would be to turn this team around. And be specific. Because your above strategy is apparently to “make revisions and modifications for the benefit of winning basketball”. Brilliant, I don’t think Altman would have ever have thought of that lol.
The team core of draft lottery picks is all right in a vacuum where just talent and individual skills are concerned however for the overall benefit of team basketball the core of Sexton,Garland,Okoro,Mobley, may prove a poor fit without interconnection and cohesiveness for winning. The Hawks have players with proper size and skill for all 5 position, whereas that is not the case for the Cavs. Give it another season attain a lottery pick in 2022, then specific adjustments may occur if the team under performs. The strategies I have are too numerous to write in this small space. Altman is not incompetent, and he may get replaced with someone inferior. He has been rebuilding into the 4th season and is a bit off track and delayed.
Your comment is basically saying that the Cavs young core are good individually but may prove to not work if they can’t work together…well of course lol, that’s how most young teams work. And regarding the Hawks, size doesn’t win basketball games, although it definitely helps. Collin is going to be hard to figure out what to do with because I do agree that while he isn’t playing “out of position” at SG, he isn’t an ideal SG fit. I really hope we don’t have to depend on another lottery pick, but you are probably right too that we will be in the lottery again.
As for Altman, his tenure has been crazy from the start. The guy gets hired and instantly one of the superstars wanted out in Kyrie. While one can criticize the trades now, most believed they were the right moves then. The Cavs even made the finals that year too.
The fact that you think Sexton and Okoro should be a PG and SG already says a lot about well you know about the Cavs.
Kuminga will be a better 3 point shooter than Mobley
G league 3 point line 23.9 feet
College 3 point line 22.2 feet
Kuminga teachers
All time greats
Kerr, Curry and Klay
That’s how you’re going to evaluate them? By there 3 point shooting acumen? smh.
… evaluation by the quality of the rookie’s teammates.
Curry says: two feet back, one foot forward, rotate 80 degrees, bend knees, shoot from the side, one hand lede, leave it up, and hokey-pokey with the piece. Now promenade. Got it?
Kuminga says: Now what man?
Go Cavs!!! Yeah they have a tough schedule at first but go Cavs!
Mobley is NOT a 4. Wrong move. Plus they need to play Love so they can move him.
As much as I’d love to agree with you, I don’t think there’s anything Love can do to be attractive for another team until next year when he’s just an expiring contract
Give it a couple months and you’ll see that he is more than capable of playing the 4.
Please explain why Mobley can’t be a successful 4? He’s got length and height. He’s got handles and good goot work. He can shoot from a variety of floor locations. What’s missing?
No he doesn’t have a handle. Especially not against NBA guys. He doesn’t shoot off the dribble. His game is more classic center. He’s got good post game. But right now is not strong enough. Needs yrs of weight and muscle. The problem with casual fans today. Is you don’t understand that a 19 yr old needs time to grow into his natural body. At the same time trying to fit in his gm against 22-32 yr old professionals. Mobley is a center who can step out. Mobley is a D center. Has potential to be one of best 2way centers in NBA.
Your every word reeks of condescension. You’re nothing special dude. We have access to film too. Im not claiming he’s got Kyrie or Iverson handles. But he’s shown in college and summer league, the ability to put the ball on the ground, change directions, switch hands and use between the leg bounces to get to the rim. He only needs maybe two or so bounces to get to within shooting range. Claiming he’s a more of a classic center goes against the scouting reports and the eye test. Obviously he has to do it against everyday centers but that’s the next jusr
I also meant, two or three dribbles to get a higher % jump shot.
Outside of trades for Allen, Nance, Rubio, undrafted free agents Wade,Stevens Altman’s contribution is the four draft lottery players who comprise 4/5ths of the starting 5. Of course eliminating Kevin Porter Jr. out of principle is a counter productive decision. The core of the team is unlikely to yield winning results. I have many strategies and would have assembled an anchor unit similar to the Hawks. Players correct size and skill for their positions unlike pressumed best available player regardless of position leading to a team that may have unstable cohesiveness.
Good point. Outside of arguably their most dependable starter, a valuable rotation player, a veteran backup for their young backcourt, two undrafted guys who have become contributors, and the rest of their starting lineup, Altman has done nothing to build this team. I don’t really know what he’s been doing with his time.
That said, I do have a lot of problems with how he’s assembled the roster. He should have kept LeBron instead of letting him walk. I also would have traded a protected second rounder for Beal this year, but only if Lillard wasn’t available. He probably should have gotten both of them but he’s not smart enough to assemble a roster like that.
love me some good ole fashion sarcasm. yum yummmmm.
What has he been doing with his time? Let’s see. He was forced to trade Kyrie the second he was hired, which led to him trying to trade for and away players to help LBJ get to the finals, which they did. Then, LBJ left on his own accord because he wanted to live in LA, something that had nothing to do with Altman “letting him walk”.
Altman than tried to recreate the franchise from the ground up. This was staggered by the fact that instead of getting the Cavs getting the 2nd picks in the Luka/Ayton/Young draft and the following Zion/Morant draft like they could have without the lottery, their lottery picks fell to 8th (Sexton) and 5th (DG) respectively. Koby Altman is not sitting around doing nothing, he is attempting to build a team from nothing, but everything isn’t perfect because that is how the NBA is. Not everyone can be the Warriors and contend and have lottery picks.
And I hope it was a typo or a joke but…you wanted Altman to trade a 2nd rounder…for Lillard or Beal? I hope you realize that even a protected, no scratch that, an unprotected first rounder would get either of those players alone, let alone both. Come on man, if he or any player had the ability to pull that iff, they would have!
@Michael Chaney Ok, totally didn’t read that as sarcasm at first. I apologize ignore my comment I’ve had a long day haha
I indicated that Altman has acquired Allen, their most capable starter,two fine rotational players Nance, Rubio, Stevens, Wade useable undrafted free agents plus drafting of Sexton,Garland,Okoro,Mobley. He is not incompetent and Gilbert could fire Altman and have him replaced with Brock Aller or an inferior GM. Altman eliminated Kevin Porter the Cavs best player for principle. His core of players are not likely to yield a position by position interconnection as in the Hawks. Back court and SF are too undersized and exploitable defensively. They need a 6’7”-6’8” versatile high scoring SF to join their starting 5.
I indicated that Altman has acquired Allen, their most capable starter,two fine rotational players Nance, Rubio, Stevens, Wade useable undrafted free agents plus drafting of Sexton,Garland,Okoro,Mobley. He is not incompetent and Gilbert could fire Altman and have him replaced with Brock Aller or an inferior GM. His core of players are not likely to yield a position by position interconnection as in the Hawks. Back court and SF are too undersized and exploitable defensively. They need a 6’7”-6’8” versatile high scoring SF to join their starting 5.
He is not incompetent and Gilbert could fire Altman and have him replaced with Brock Aller or an inferior GM. His core of players are not likely to yield a position by position interconnection as in the Hawks. Back court and SF are too undersized and exploitable defensively. They need a 6’7”-6’8” versatile high scoring SF to join their starting 5.
The CLE beatwriter lays out the article like it was dictated by the GM. Is Mobley going to be named starter right away? Cavs recent history suggests that is NOT the best move.
I think it will shake out:
1.Rubio Garland
2.Garland Sexton Okoro
3.Osman Okoro Windler
4.Nance Mobley Wade
5.Allen Love Kabangele
Plus LamarStevens & BThomas 3, DDotson G
Basically 3 guards to get them max minutes. The team will perform best with Rubio… Osman especially, as he gets hesitant. Like Love, his value has slipped beyond being tradable, but should improve with Rubio out there.
The forwards will wind up with similar minutes.
Gilbert will resist tanking.
The MLE remains.
CLE actually is deepest at wing.
They should have landed one of the good young PGs. (I suspect they want to set up Okoro for a try there.)
The last two are not inspiring and Kabengele, maybe. Hartenstein for the 5 is still possible.
FAs available: Ennis, Galloway, Gar.Mathews, Cook
Love should bounce back as a backup center, like Griffin.
Garland, Sexton should go over 30′ pg and Rubio too if he wants to.
I doubt Okoro will succeed at guard on his own merits unless forced… needs a couple years yet and more wiggle.
Mobley must be the starter 5 from day 1… I mean there is no reason to make it harder for him to adjust to the PF as well as the league, LNJ & Mobley would be a very nice starting duo!
He is so skinny… gets pushed around. He needs to keep his tendons & such healthy.
Isn’t Cleveland moving Sexton. He will get moved first chance they get. He’s not worth max money. Love has plenty left. He could help Minny right now. By trade deadline he will be much easier to move. But a team could probably get him cheap sooner. I’m still a big Love guy. He’s not coming off serious injuries. He’s only 30, turns 31 in Sept. He can help a few teams. If Westbrook and CP3 can be traded. Loves 30 mill contract can be moved too.
Just like the Hornets eliminated Grahame, If a back court of Sexton, Garland with Okoro has a substantial negative point differential they may have no choice for team fit and chemistry to trade Sexton even if individually they get less in return, Cam Reddish, but may prosper from benefit to the team concept for overall composition.
please don’t compare a career 13.3 ppg guy on 37% fg shooting with Sexton. it’s not a good comparison.
I like Love but if course he’s coming off of a serious injury if the injury has kept him from playing in 50 regular season games AND the Olympics where he had hoped to showcase his health inorder to help facilitate a trade. The fact you compared the trades of Westbrook and Paul is laughable considering what each guy has done when healthy and their health at the trade time. As for Sexton word is that his agent isn’t pressing for max and they are working towards a deal. However, if you look at what Smart, Frontier and Rozier have signed for its hard to say he doesn’t deserve near max. Short of his possible defensive flaws he’s had a great 3rd year and has shown consistent improvements each year. They would be fools to give him away, even tho my confidence level in their GM isn’t that good.
Go Cavs!