Cavs still need to address major need in free agency

A relatively quiet offseason has still been productive for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Keeping their core intact by signing both Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley is considered a major success. However, with the free agency market winding down, the Cavs still need to address a major need.

Cavs still need to address major need in free agency

The backup center position has been a mixed bag for the Cavs’ rosters over the past few seasons. The Cavs’ 2016 NBA champion Tristan Thompson recently filled the role, getting more playing time after Mobley missed part of the season with a knee injury. Thompson averaged 3.3 points and 3.6 rebounds on 60.8 percent shooting from the floor. The 15-year veteran provided a spark off the bench with his aggressiveness on the boards, but it’s clear he’s lost a step. Further, Thompson is far from the modern center, unable to stretch the floor and therefore a one-dimensional player. Thompson is currently unsigned with Cleveland after signing a one-year deal with the team last September.

The Cavs also brought in Damian Jones last season to play a role off the bench. He was quickly beaten out by Thompson for the backup center position and played limited minutes last season. The former first-round pick appeared in 39 games, averaging 2.7 points and 1.6 rebounds. Jones, like Thompson, is now a free agent and is unlikely to be back in Cleveland next season. The Cavs got subpar production from the center position, another reason the team struggled when Jarrett Allen was injured in the postseason. The Cavs need to bring in a solid option to replace the two bigs for the fall.

Who’s in the game?

Former Knicks center Precious Achiuwa would be a perfect fit on the Cavs’ bench. The 24-year-old isn’t a great scorer, but he is a solid defender. At 6’8″, he averaged 1.8 points per game in a bench role with the Knicks last season. Achiuwa isn’t a prolific scorer, but the Cavs have Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen as offensive threats at that position. Still, Achiuwa averaged 7.6 points and 6.6 rebounds in his role. The big man may lack the size of a traditional center, but he possesses the strength and skill to match up with any 7-footer. He’s not an elite floor spacer, as he shoots three-pointers at a 30.7% clip, but he’s more than capable when needed. Replacing Thompson and Jones with Achiuwa would be an immediate upgrade for the Cavs.

Achiuwa did not receive a qualifying offer from the Knicks in June, making him open to signing with any team. However, SNY’s Ian Begley says New York could still complete a sign-and-trade for the big. That would allow the Cavs to turn to a potential suitor, as they are limited on cap space, a trade would allow the Cavs to be more flexible. There is still time for the Cavs to find a player for their backup center position, as they currently lack a big player off the bench. However, they need to find productivity off the bench behind Mobley and Allen, especially if injuries derail their seasons again.