Cavaliers Kodac 2020-21

Coming off a first-round exit in the 2019-20 season, the Cleveland Cavs came to the realisation that they were at a crossroads.  An internal review immediately followed the finals series and the incoming GM Dylan asked some big questions at the round table with team executives. The biggest question that needed answering was, does this roster have enough talent to push the best teams in the league? After an extensive search for talent and direction, it seemed clear to GM Dylan that the Cavs would put all assets up on the market and season 2020-21 would be the beginning of the new direction Cavs.

 

2020-21 Record 24-58

 

Throughout most phases of the season Cleveland�s roster could be best described as unstable. Highlights on the court proved difficult to come by, due to trades by the front office resulting in instability within the playing group and holes in on-court rotations.

 

New faces at practise seemed a regular occurrence as the coaching staff scrambled to work to find the best offensive schemes to benefit a regularly changing group. However, as the season progressed and players returned from injury, a clear face of the franchise emerged in Bogdan Bogdanovic.

 

 

Bogdan, Jarrett Allen, Brandon Clarke, Obi Toppin and a stable of picks would form the nucleus of this team and the run home would show glimpses of what this franchise could become in the not-so-distant future. They took a number of big scalps in the final weeks and put the league on notice for next season. The Cavs are Coming.

 

 

Off the Court- Moves that Shaped the Cavs in 2020-21

 

GM Dylan made a slew of trades throughout the season which had a focus on accumulating draft capital over the coming years. Some of the Cavaliers most notable trades throughout the season included:

GM Dylan finds a boi in trade with Phoenix
Cavs trade -  2 x second round picks
Cavs receive � Bruce Brown

Before Brown had a notorious run with the Nets, the Cavs acquired his bargain contract for just 2 second round picks. Who could�ve known he would become such an important part of an NBA contender as he ramped up his value throughout the 2020-21 season. GM Dylan was spouting �Ma Boi Brown� in the forums and it appeared a franchise favourite had been acquired. 

4-Team Shenanigans Featuring Boston, Charlotte, Phoenix and Cleveland
Cavs trade � JaMychal Green and Chris Boucher
Cavs receive � Obi Toppin, Ish Smith, Phoenix 2025 1^st round pick, 2022 and 2025 2^nd round picks.

When this trade occurred, Toppin was near the beginning of his rookie campaign. Though a rookie, Toppin is on the mature end of the age-bracket, meaning he could make immediate impact with room for long term growth. The fit seemed perfect for the Cavs and the picks were the cherry on top. Chris Boucher was a clear upgrade on Toppin but the long-term picture in this deal looked beneficial for the Cavs.

 

9-Team Blockbuster Trade
Cavs trade � Lonzo Ball and Paul Millsap
Cavs receive � Bogdan Bogdanovic, Maxi Kleiber, Sacramento 2022 1^st round pick and San Antonio 2024 1^st round pick

The Cavs part in this blockbuster deal made a great deal of sense and was very savvy GM work. They added a young scorer who would lead the team throughout the season and not one, but two first round picks! Lonzo appeared to be a good young franchise guard but the return for him was far too good to pass up. A terrific trade for the Cavs.

 

Cleveland Player of the Year � Bogdan Bogdanovic
19 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 threes

 

Bogdanvoic missed the first 20 or so games of the season but upon his return, he looked as good as he has in the league. After arriving via trade, Bogdanovic led the Cavs for the season with averages of 19 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 threes per game. His ability to create his own shot was what brought fans to the building as Bog-sanity took over Cleveland. When asked about Bogdanovic�s season GM Dylan gushed, �Bogdan deserved more attention than he got this season. He carried our offence and went through stretches of incredible shot making. Most games I was yelling from courtside, "Can someone please help Bogey out and score the damn ball!" He just needed someone to come along for the ride with him and help carry the load offensively. Finding that player will be a big focus for us this off-season�

A really solid scoring season in Cleveland saw Bogdanovic get the league-wide recognition he deserved after being awarded the 2020-21 Most Improved Award. Big things are expected from Bogdan as he looks to build in the 2021-22 season.

 

The good news for the Cavs would continue as the season closed. While other teams were enjoying playoff action, the Cavs were signing contracts and GM Dylan retained a literal �big fish� in Jarrett Allen. Allen reached agreement with the organisation to extend for 5 years $100 million. A good contract for both player and organisation and a piece of news that would build momentum as the Cavs set their sights towards the draft.

 

Off-season � the Draft

 

The Cavs headed into the draft with the solitary mid lottery pick, number 8. It appeared a difficult position to draft and a touch too low for what the Cavs were hoping for when the lottery balls bounced.

After looking at the roster shape and seeing what they could add to complement their young guns, defence was what was needed from any incoming prospect. When pick 8 was announced, Davion Mitchell�s name sent shockwaves through the league. It seemed early to many of the experts analysing post draft, however as summer league unfolded it appeared that the Cavs had uncovered a gem who will make immediate impact on the defensive end. Mitchell appears to be the perfect fit with this young talented group.

While the Cavs don�t own their pick in the coming draft, they appear ready to either package picks to bring in a franchise talent or continue the steady build with Sacramento�s 2022 pick and a multitude of 2023, 2024 and 2025 picks. All eyes will be on the Cavs and their moves in the free agency.

 

The Future

 

This offseason, the Cavs will be an interesting follow. There are rumours swirling around about a potential trade which will bring a scorer to Cleveland to assist Bogdan with the scoring load. Fans are wondering who will it could be and whether the age of this potential acquisition lines up with the current roster.

The Cavs roster currently consists of 12 players on guaranteed contracts with a balance of experience and breakout candidates. If the Cavs are able to find a clever free agent acquisition to add to this deep roster, there�s no doubt GM Dylan will be able to continue to build or condense the talent to make a roster verging on playoffs once more.

 

Current roster:
C- Jarrett Allen
PF- Obi Toppin and Brandon Clarke
SF- Kevin Knox, Marcus Morris and Kyle Anderson
SG- Bogdan Bogdanovic and PJ Dozier
PG- Davion Mitchell and Kris Dunn

When asked about the future and the outlook for the Cavs, GM Dylan was bullish, �In the long term we will continue to search for avenues to land that franchise player to lead the Cavs, whether that be through trading or the draft. We have a really strong draft hand over the next 3 years excluding missing our 1st this upcoming season and are optimistic we will be back in that playoff picture sooner than most would predict. Cavs fans should be excited to see a much-improved Obi Toppin and a new offensive addition coming free agency.�

 

Looks like 2021 will be an exciting time for the Cavs and their fans!