The most recent trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers that landed Lauri Markkannen shows that the team is still on the path to nowhere.
If there is one thing that the Cleveland Cavaliers were expected to do this offseason it was making roster moves. The thing is that the moves the team is making are not necessarily those expected, most notable being the recent deal that sees the Cavs part ways with Larry Nance Jr. to acquire Lauri Markkanen from Chicago.
The move for Cleveland is confusing for multiple reasons. First off Chicago has been exploring trades with Markkanen for quite some time. Add in the fact the Bulls made some moves this offseason to improve their team that would have rightfully relegated Markkanen to a bench role. Apparently Cleveland could not wait to jump at the chance to make a deal with the Bulls, ultimately paying $67 million over four years for a player that the Bulls did not want.
Examining the Cavaliers current roster the move only gets more confusing. The Cavs already signed Jarrett Allen to an extension and drafted Evan Mobley third overall. Now with Markkanen in the mix the team now features three players at or about seven feet tall. The problem that presents itself with this combo is that two players are being paid like starters (Allen, Markkanen), and the other (Mobley) needs enough playing time to properly develop.
Utilizing one of these three players as a bench option seems to be an overall improper use of the players available to the team. If these players were guards or wing players it would be a different story, the fact is that they are not and that is a huge problem. Utilizing multiple players at positions which feature smaller players is fine and in fact they can be deployed at the same time, this does not apply for Allen, Markkanen, and Mobley.
The issue for the Cavs is less about the deal for Markkanen itself, but rather the moves before it. If Cleveland did not extend Allen or draft Mobley this would less of a problem. Was Nance the player that takes the Cavs from the basement to contention? No, but he played a very specific role on this team that is important while Markkanen is signed to a deal that reflects a more prominent role. The fact of the matter is that Markkanen should not be playing a large role on a team that is supposed to be improving or at least flirting with a play-in spot.
When evaluating the current state of the Cleveland Cavaliers one thing is abundantly clear. They continue to make moves that keep them irrelevant, the latest sign and trade acquisition proves that further. The day that the Cavs stop existing in the world of non-competitiveness appears to still be far off in the future.