This Is Believeland

30Aug

By James MastrucciNo Comments

Cavs, Featured

Cavs: Possible trade targets

The Cleveland Cavaliers made some big moves this offseason to improve their roster. With that in mind, should the Cavs look to make further upgrades, Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley put together a group of players that should be Cleveland's top three trade targets. After noting concerns that the Cavs may not have adequately addressed their needs for a two-way wing player, Buckley notes that Royce O'Neale, Caleb Martin, and Josh Green are players who should be on Cleveland's radar. It's possible, then, Cleveland could still be in the market for a two-way wing who finally balances this roster. The Cavs don't have much to spend after paying a fortune for Donovan Mitchell last offseason, but they might be able to reel in a mid-tier target like O'Neale (expendable with Brooklyn's wing de...

Where are Cavs guards predicted to be ranked after 2023-24?

29Aug

By James MastrucciNo Comments

Cavs

Where are Cavs guards predicted to be ranked after 2023-24?

Where are Cavs guards Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell predicted to be ranked at the end of the 2023-24 season? The staff over at Bleacher Report ranked where they think the top guards will finish for the upcoming season. Both Garland and Mitchell made the list. Coming in at 18 is Garland. "Garland has the mechanics to become one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA and is coming off a career-high 41.0 percent mark from deep overall and 44.0 percent on catch-and-shoot looks." Garland showed flashes of what he could be before last season. Taking over as the main ball-handler for the Cavs after Collin Sexton went down due to a season-ending injury, Garland found a way to unlock some skills that were going overlooked. This was just a preview of what was to come as Garl...

Evan Mobley makes list of top young big men

25Aug

By James MastrucciNo Comments

Cavs

Evan Mobley makes list of top young big men

When it comes to young big men in the league, Evan Mobley is one of the best. The Cavaliers big man is entering his third season with the team and has already made quite the impression on the league. That is why it is no surprise to see Evan Mobley make the Top of Zach Buckley's Ranking NBA Bigs Under 25 with Highest Ceilings list. Coming in at number four is Evan Mobley. Buckley notes that Cleveland's offense is focused on Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell while noting Mobley still can play even better with additional spacing. "His offensive projection is harder to calculate, since he fills an ancillary in a Cleveland offense built around attacking guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. Many of Mobley's scoring chances are being created for him, but even then, he has foun...

Darius Garland just misses Top 5 in list of young guards

22Aug

By James MastrucciNo Comments

Cavs, Featured

Darius Garland just misses Top 5 in list of young guards

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland has seen his stock rise in recent seasons. Garland originally shared time in the Cavs' backcourt with an incompatible player in Collin Sexton. An injury to Sexton in his final season in Cleveland and his subsequent trade led to Garland playing at the level that everyone was hoping he was capable of. Now sharing the backcourt with Donovan Mitchell, Garland is thriving, finding himself mentioned as one of the Top-10 guards under the age of 25. Just outside the Top-5 is Garland, according to Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley. "At 23 years old, Darius Garland has already established himself as one of the Association's elite offensive initiators. He is one of only five players to average 21 points, seven assists and two three-pointers in eac...

21Aug

By James MastrucciNo Comments

Cavs

Who is the Cavs’ best new weapon?

Which new addition to the Cleveland Cavaliers has been considered their best new weapon? According to Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley, Max Strus gets that honor for the Cavs. Choosing between Strus and George Niang, Buckley ultimately settled on the former Miami Heat forward. "Max Strus, meanwhile, has a chance to exceed the career-high 28.4 minutes he received with the Miami Heat last season. He'll need to control his sometimes erratic shooting—his last three seasons have produced three-point percentages of 33.8, 41 and 35—to make that happen, but his form and willingness to fire makes you want to believe." It is going to come down to Strus being consistent from three-point range. As mentioned above, the jumps up and down in conversion percentage are not necessarily a concern cur...

20Aug

By James MastrucciNo Comments

Cavs

How was the Cavs’ offseason described?

The Cleveland Cavaliers did not find themselves making any moves this offseason, instead opting to improve their supporting cast. This led to an interesting way to describe their approach to the offseason in an article appearing in Bleacher Report. Greg Swartz chose modernized in his 1 Word to Describe Every NBA Team's Offseason article. "The Cavaliers should look far more modernized this year with Max Strus likely starting over Okoro and Georges Niang serving as a floor-spacing power forward next to both Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley at times. Getting Ty Jerome (38.9 percent from three, lifetime 50.9 percent three-point attempt rate) was a sneaky-good addition to the backcourt as well." Modernized seems to be the right word. The Cavs were not a good three-point shooting team la...

How many wins are the Cavaliers projected to have this season?

18Aug

By James MastrucciNo Comments

Cavs, Featured

How many wins are the Cavaliers projected to have this season?

The Cleveland Cavaliers made a handful of moves this offseason to improve their roster. While none are as big as last year's move for Donovan Mitchell, it was about improving the depth and quality of their role players. It is obvious that they accomplished what they set out to do, but is it enough to increase their win total? Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey put together win-loss predictions for every team in the NBA following the schedule release on Thursday. Setting the over/under at 50.5, Bailey broke down the Cavaliers' off-season and why they may struggle to equal or surpass last season's win total. "One year after trading for Donovan Mitchell, the Cleveland Cavaliers made more noise this summer by acquiring Max Strus and Georges Niang. In theory, those two will improve upon the...

Cavs RFA target likely to accept qualifying offer

17Aug

By James MastrucciNo Comments

Cavs

Cavs RFA target likely to accept qualifying offer

There was a connection or two between the Cleveland Cavaliers and restricted free agent PJ Washington, but that now appears to be off the table. The expectation is that Washington will accept his qualifying offer and return to the Charlotte Hornets. This comes just a few days after the Cavs were mentioned as having expressed interest in the restricted free agent. Making this work from Cleveland's end was always going to be a bit of an obstacle. Washington would have to agree to a deal that would somewhat satisfy what he was looking for but could also fit into the Cavs' current financial situation. The possibility of a sign-and-trade between Cleveland and Charlotte was possible. Although the Hornets may not have interest in the players Cleveland would have been willing to part with. ...

16Aug

By James MastrucciNo Comments

Cavs

Caris LeVert to Lakers in mock trade

Could the Cleveland Cavaliers send Caris LeVert to the Los Angeles Lakers? This possibility was proposed in a mock trade appearing on NBA Analysis Network. The deal would have the Cavs trading LeVert and second-round picks in 2024 and 2025 to the Lakers. Coming back to Cleveland would be Rui Hachimura. The focus, in the eyes of the author, is to improve their wing situation. "What the Cavaliers need is 3-and-D wings. They could afford to sacrifice some of LeVert’s shot creation to add some defense on the wings. Is that what they’re doing here? It’s debatable. Hachimura isn’t a lockdown defender. With that said, he’s solid, and he’s got the athletic profile to improve." This is a significantly better proposal for the Cavs than the previously suggested deal involving Jarrett Al...

Ezekiel Elliott agrees to deal with Patriots

15Aug

By James MastrucciNo Comments

Beyond Believeland

Ezekiel Elliott agrees to deal with Patriots

Ezekiel Elliott has a new home and will join the New England Patriots. The former Dallas Cowboy has agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million. Elliott is expected to sign the deal in New England before boarding a plane to join the team in Green Bay. The Patriots have joint practices with the Packers ahead of their preseason matchup later this week. While Ezekiel Elliott’s effectiveness has decreased in recent seasons, New England will use him in a different capacity. Third-year back Rhamondre Stevenson should continue to get the bulk of the carries for the Patriots. Elliott should be able to provide production in a complementary role behind him. The Patriots do not need him to be a star, only a cog in a much larger machine. The Patriots have a way of getting the most out of ...

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