2019-20 Finish: 49-33

 

Season Highlight:

For the Cavs, the highlight in my eyes is the growth of their GM. Dylan was new to the format at the start of the year and as we all know, this type of thing can take a bit to get the head around. It�s probably the most in depth fantasy format I know of, which is why I love it, and Dylan you could tell was taking his time to get in top of it before finding a path. He had a great year, regardless, but having been handed a team he didn�t draft he then slowly made the team his own, made it to the 5^th seed in the East, and now has a roster that is of his choosing and making. Well done Dylan!

 

Season Lowlight:

I think you have to go with the playoff loss here. I mean they did great all year, they grew as a team, as a GM, together but they wouldn�t have wanted to see a 1^st round exit even if it was against the Zen Master. The Zen Master was wounded too, so the loss stings a little and makes the man want for more in the future.

 

Best Trade:

Cavs send: Damian Lillard, Jarred Vanderbilt, Nigel Williams-Goss, Javonte Green and 2020 1^st round pick (Pick 29)
Cavs get: Lonzo Ball, Brandon Clarke, Gary Harris, Kevin Knox, 2020 1^st round pick (Pick 16), 2023 1^st round pick, 2021 2^nd round pick and 2024 2^nd round pick

If you really want to/need to trade out a superstar of the game, this is how you do it. Replace the guy with a pretty solid replacement in Ball, and then add a high potential forward, a good young 2 way guard and a swathe of picks. Easily the best deal the Cavs have made.

 

Worst Trade:

Cavs send: LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAnthony Melton and Daniel Gafford
Cavs get: Jarrett Allen, Reggie Jackson and Mike Scott

This was a huge price to pay for Allen. LMA was/is even rated better than Jarrett at the time/now, despite the obvious larger salary and decline with age. But then Gafford as well who with some opportunity could be Jarrett Allen in a year or two given Allen is pretty much at his peak already. And then there�s Melton who is a 1^st round talent and was RFA.

 

Other Notable Trades:

Cavs send: Robert Covington, Danny Green and 2021 1^st round pick
Cavs get: LaMarcus Aldridge and Josh Hart

This is a mountain to pay for LMA, particularly when you then ship him and other guys for Allen�

 

Cavs send: Zhaire Smith, Langston Galloway and 2^nd round pick
Cavs get: Grayson Allen and Robin Lopez

Nicely done to get off Zhaire.

 

Cavs send: Nikola Jokic and Grant Williams
Cavs get: Paul George and Daniel Gafford

Biiiiig names! Pretty level.

 

Cavs send: Josh Hart and 2^nd round pick
Cavs get: Nerlens Noel

Noel is a nice fit.

 

Cavs send: Malcolm Brogdon, Robin Lopez and 1^st round pick
Cavs get: Dejounte Murray, Brook Lopez and Will Barton

Odd to give up the best guy and a 1^st, but there you go.

 

Cavs send: Cory Joseph, 2023 2^nd round pick and 2024 2^nd round pick
Cavs get: Matthew Dellavedova

Salary dump!

 

Cavs send: Nerlens Noel and Derrick Walton Jnr.
Cavs get: JaMychal Green

Ummm, what?

 

Cavs send: Will Barton and Brook Lopez
Cavs get: Danilo Gallinari

Good value!

 

Cavs send: Paul George and Kevin Huerter
Cavs get: Damian Lillard and Semi Ojeleye

George and Lillard pretty equal. Huerter was in there why?

 

Cavs send: Minnesota 2021 1^st round pick
Cavs get: 2020 1^st round pick (Pick 29), 2020 2^nd round pick (Pick 39) and 2021 2^nd round pick

Decent multiplication.

 

Cavs send: Dejounte Murray
Cavs get: Timothe Luwawu-Caberrot, Brooklyn 2023 1^st round pick, Golden State 2023 1^st round pick and 2022 2^nd round pick

Head scratcher. What will Murray be in 5 years when we even see if the picks are a success?

 

Cavs send: Gary Harris, 2023 1^st round pick and 2021 2^nd round pick
Cavs get: Julius Randle

Solid.

 

Cavs send: Julius Randle and Shake Milton
Cavs get: Buddy Hield and Larry Nance Jr

Pretty level.

 

Cavs send: Buddy Hield, Larry Nance Jr, Semi Ojeleye, 2020 1^st round pick (Pick 16) and 2022 2^nd round pick
Cavs get: Seth Curry, Spencer Dinwiddie, Justin James and 2020 1^st round pick (Pick 17)

Hield probably the highest upside piece here.

 

Cavs send: 2020 1^st round pick (Pick 17)
Cavs get: Chris Boucher

High hopes for Boucher.

 

 

Free Agency:

The Cavs will have a big call to make on FA day and have to have set up what to do after before the fact. Sign and Trades aren�t the most fun thing in the league but then at least you�ll get a return for your guy.

Danilo Gallinari � UFA, but as a sign and trade guy there�s heavy bonus to come back before being sent off.

Chris Boucher � RFA, easy return for this must keep guy.

John Konchar � RFA, nice easy return for Konchar.

 

 

Star:

Paul George

He�s gone now, but Paul George was their undoubted star this year. He dropped nearly 30 points a night while adding over 6 rebounds and 3 assists a night, as well as a huge 2.1 steals a game. George was the 1^st big choice by the Dylan and despite him being gone now, he�ll hold a special pace for that reason.

 

Goat:

Nikola Jokic

The original marquee guy for the Cavs, he just wasn�t playing like that guy and got himself shipped out. He�s going to be�something else this year though, but back then you want more and 17/13 from your main star.

 

 

Draft Grades:

No Picks.

 

The Future:

The Cavs are now built for the future. They�re young. They�re athletic. Thy have an identity and they have picks in the bank. If Dylan can protect himself from himself, then they can stay this course and get value over and over as they build for a couple of years from now.

C: Jarrett Allen / Chris Boucher
PF: Brandon Clarke / Eric Paschall / Mike Scott
SF: Justise Winslow / Kevin Knox / Doug McDermott
SG: Bruce Brown / Grayson Allen / Justin James / Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot
PG: Lonzo Ball / John Konchar