r/clevelandcavs • u/RanLearns • 4d ago
The main question for the Cavs (ESPN)
Can Peyton Watson make a difference as the fifth starter?
The Cavs have been heavily invested in four of their five starters for years -- Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the front court with Donovan Mitchell and now James Harden, after a midseason exchange for Darius Garland, in the backcourt. But they've had a rotating cast filling out the last spot next to them -- Dean Wade, Max Strus or De'Andre Hunter, most recently -- all of whom have failed to raise the ceiling of the lineup.
Watson, 24, is coming off his best season with the Nuggets and has the potential to push this group over the edge even more if he can continue his improved 3-point shooting to go along with his defensive chops.
What to watch during training camp: Frontcourt depth
Does Cleveland have enough depth if Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley or Jarrett Allen miss time? Allen played 56 games and Watson played 54 last season. During the Cavaliers' postseason, frontcourt reserves Thomas Bryant and Nae'Qwan Tomlin failed to reach five minutes per game. Because of the Watson acquisition, the Cavs have no financial flexibility to add a 15th player or even carry a non-guaranteed player. They are $45,000 below the first apron hard cap.
Dates to watch
Nov. 2: deadline to exercise team option of Jaylon Tyson
Nov. 15: Mario Hezonja's contract becomes guaranteed
Extension candidates
Porter (four years, $95 million; eligible through June 30)
Contract status
- Guaranteed contracts:12
- Partial: 2
- Exhibit 10: 4
- Two-way: 3
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u/CLESportsReport 4d ago
The biggest storyline going into this season is if they are finally going to commit to Evan offensively - for better or worse during the first half the season. This has to be a top-to-bottom organizational commitment to ensure that his usage and shot volume increase substantially. With an elite perimeter defender finally in the mix, perhaps there will be less demand on him defensively. Anything under 15.0 FGA is unacceptable and frankly inexplicable.
It’s no secret I’m a Mobley fan. But the fact is this organization has now made a MASSIVE financial commitment to him and turned their nose up at several intriguing trade packages. Succeed or fail, if you aren’t going to increase his volume so that he at minimum is your distinct 2nd option offensively by the turn of the new year, then you are sinking this entire ship. Because something is not in alignment. If ever there was a time to trade him, it was this past offseason. I’m glad we didn’t. Now they need to do whatever it takes to ensure he is given a chance to actually sink or swim.
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u/Soft-Revolution-7845 3d ago
We still have 2 offense focused guards so idk if he gets his shots.
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u/CLESportsReport 3d ago
It’s entirely doable but requires commitment and sacrifice from everyone. Mitchell coming down from 20.5 FGA to 18.5 or so where he was in 24-25 isn’t impossible and simultaneously Don should be working on his playmaking ability at the same time - as his lack of assists in the playoffs was a major eyesore. Harden averaged 16.0 FGA last year, just 13.5 w/ the Cavs. Evan has been stunted at 13.0 or less his whole career.
If they have to roll the dice and move JA to clear space for Mobley to operate offensively, so be it. It would pain me. But that’s the kind of level of commitment they need to have.
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u/wooha 3d ago
100000% agree. If I were in charge, I’d have traded him. I think he is who he is, at this point, we would have seen much larger bodies of evidence that he could make the leap we’re all wishing him to take, but it has just never materialized. I’d love to be wrong, but I think Koby effectively closed this teams window by holding onto the asset for too long.
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u/ThinkingItThrough1 3d ago
Can we fire Kenny and/or bench Harden for the young guards is my big one
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u/rightinactivity5260 4d ago
wait james harden on the cavs now? i feel like i missed a whole chapter somewhere
the watson pick-up makes sense on paper though, that length next to mobley and allen would be nasty defensively. still not sure who's handling the ball when mitchell sits
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u/mindpainters 3d ago
He was traded to the Cavs during the season last year. He was on the Cavs team that went to the conference finals.
Odd you know enough to have an opinion on Watson but weren’t aware harden was on the Cavs.
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u/Training-Belt-7318 4d ago
The only real question is if Mobley, Mitchell, and harden or some combo of them can raise their play in the playoffs. We have length and defense and a solid 8 if health stays, plus enough depth to get through the regular season.