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Episode 137: All In On Core 4?
75 Plays10 months ago
Alex and Corey discuss the Cavs latest offseason contract extensions to Evan Mobley & Jarrrett Allen. We give our thoughts on the Cavs seemingly being all in on the core four and running it back for next season. We also react to Jaylon Tyson's summer league run and what kind of contribution he may be able to make to the team.
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Transcript
Vacation Recap and Hurricane Escape
00:00:16
Speaker
Big Cass fans, Cass fans. Corey and Alex with you as always. And Alex, my man, how you doing, buddy? Oh, I'm doing great. Just got back from vacation. We both did. Feeling good. Yeah, it was kind of, I don't know if it's ever worked out that way, where we're both out on vacation at the same time. I don't think so. I think this might've been a first. It was just kind of funny that you were like, oh, I'm going to be in Florida next week. So I don't think we'll be able to record. now like Dude, I'm going to be in Florida. But oh, wait, you didn't go to Florida. You went to a beach somewhere else, but I went to Florida. Yeah. And we kind of both just got out of there, you know, kind of in time before the hurricane rolled through. That would kind of ruin some of the vacation plans if it was this week, obviously. But you guys have a good time. The family have a good time. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Like like you said, the storm was coming through. I think like that Friday we were there. It started raining. Yeah. And
00:01:12
Speaker
the drive back. We both we both did the family road trip there and back, right? Yep. So yeah, like the drive back was through a little bit of the storm. But other than that, wasn't too bad. But yeah, I'm glad we left. We timed it perfectly. Glad we left when we did. Yeah, definitely. We actually the beach got shut down basically the second half of the day, the last day we were there. We just hung
Cavs' Summer League Highlights
00:01:34
Speaker
out, though, never like downpour or anything like that. But it was lightning and stuff. And we just played beach games and just hung out. And then Yeah, I made the drive home the next day. Ah, man, you drove from Florida? That's a long drive. 13-hour drive, but I would call it 14 because, I mean. You let the kids pee? yeah you don't You don't make the kids hold their pee the whole way? Not the whole way. All right. You know, like, good six hours or so. Every two gas fill-ups, that's when you get to pee.
00:02:05
Speaker
yeah ah But it was good man. Yeah, it's always good getting and getting away from work and just getting away from the the daily You know Every day being the same kind of thing. So it's cool to get away refresh a little bit and It's been a little bit since we recorded as a result. There has been some calves activities that have happened over the last couple weeks That's really what we want to talk about today kind of give our reactions and and talk about a couple of different topics and And this first one, we probably won't spend a ton of time, Alex, because it's the oldest out of all of them, um but summer league.
00:02:39
Speaker
We never got to really talk about Summer League because the last time we recorded it, it was right before Summer League. We'll be honest, neither one of us really got to catch those games. They were kind of at odd times, and it was kind of hard to even find how to watch them. um But there's all there's always highlights after the games, right? And that's where
Jalen Tyson's Potential Impact
00:02:58
Speaker
I got to do. I got to watch basically the highlights for them. But Alex, from your perspective, the Cavs didn't do that great overall in Summer League. They went two and three. and That's not really important.
00:03:09
Speaker
Um, although it was kind of cool how last year, remember last year they won it all. That was pretty cool. yeah Um, yeah they didn't, they didn't get to defend their championship, unfortunately, but anything that jumped out to you or anybody's, you know, particular that you were keeping an eye on or wanting to just see how they were doing.
00:03:25
Speaker
You know, i I didn't watch a single Summer League game and to be honest, you know, normally I'm pretty excited about Summer League because there's usually some up and coming up and coming guys on the team I want to see or, you know, we got some, a couple good rookies I want to watch. This year, I don't know, I just never really got excited about it. I, you know, I mean, I think Jaylen Tyson's a great pickup, ah but to yeah, I don't know. i don't I just never really got excited about it and just didn't catch any of the games. I watched a few highlights here and there.
00:03:59
Speaker
um I didn't, i you know, Jalen Tyson did alright. He had some good games, but as far as a standout, I... I don't know didn't really feel like there was anything I felt like my attention. Yeah, I felt like Tyson had this the strongest Consistency and showing over the span of the five games. I mean There were some other names there that cast fan should have been familiar with Craig Porter jr. Bates Luke Travers was back And then obviously Tyson was probably the one that most cast fans are most interested. That's just the way it works whenever you have a rookie playing. You want to you know you want to see what they're capable of. And you have to keep expectations in check. It's Summer League, so the competition isn't quite the same as what you know NBA competition is.
00:04:46
Speaker
But what I saw from Tyson is a well-rounded all-around basketball player. He seemed like he was able to do a little bit of everything. He seemed to be constantly giving effort out there and really trying to showcase his skills. And as a result, his his averages his average is after those five games in summer league, he averaged 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists.
00:05:12
Speaker
shot 58% from the field, 40% from deep and 91% from the free throw line. So a pretty solid stat line. um And from the highlights I saw and and just the chatter I saw from other reporters and stuff like that,
00:05:29
Speaker
Again, he he's able to do a little bit of everything. he can He can dribble the basketball. That's huge, right? He can get to the rim. He can create his own shot. He can shoot it. He's rebounding. he's making Behind the back passes the teammates for wide open threes at the top of the key. you know He was just out there hustling and doing a little bit of everything. and i thought I thought he had a very strong showing.
00:05:50
Speaker
Um, in, in the summer league. So do you think that he'll get a rookie deal or a two way or he's going to be on the roster? I think he's going to be on the roster. I think, um, like comparing him to Bates who I know there were some Cavs fans clamoring for Bates to get some more minutes at various times throughout the season because of all the injuries, because of all the just frustrations that were without the season. And sure. I, I, I had my moments where it's like, yeah, screw it. Just put in Bates. What's it going to hurt?
00:06:21
Speaker
right now and maybe it's not fair to compare it to because where they got drafted and the experience and all that stuff but I feel like Tyson is light years ahead of Bates and um he kind of just closed the door on Bates getting any kind of run in my opinion if the Cavs stay as is with their roster and adding Tyson um I feel like Tyson gives them a little bit of an insurance policy. If they decide to part ways with someone like an accurro, like a Laverg or something like that down the road, Tyson feels like, you know, maybe he can fill one of those voids.
Contract Extensions and Team Strategy
00:06:55
Speaker
Same thing if an injury happens, you know, I can see them, you know, giving him an opportunity.
00:07:01
Speaker
Much like they given other people opportunities, the Craig Porter's, the Sam Merrill's, the Dean Wade's over the years. At some point, he'll get an opportunity. It's just whether or not he seizes that moment. Yeah. I mean, I i had heard that Bates had a ah kind of below average summer league and then kind of the same with Luke Travers.
00:07:24
Speaker
And I think that's just kind of why I didn't. I mean, those were two of the players I was kind of excited to see, yeah possibly ah live up to some hype, some heightpe some ah potential. And they were underwhelming. And so I think that's one of the main reasons I didn't really follow the summer league that closely. But it's great to hear that Jalen Tyson played Relatively well through the through the summer league and I hope he does get a roster spot I think it would be you know, they got they got to shake it up a little bit I know he's kind of held fast this whole offseason um Sticking with our main guys, you know everything that happened with the roster or didn't happen with the roster yeah so, you know, I think I think we gotta add Jalen Bryson or yeah Jalen and Yeah, we'll we'll see
00:08:15
Speaker
Yeah, I think, I think he definitely makes the roster. I don't think they go like two way or anything like that with him, but I also don't know if he's going to get rotational minutes at the beginning of the season. Right. It really kind of depends on some other things and, and, you know, if any of other their moves or or bodies get rearranged on this team or not. Um, and again, it's summer league. So the competition isn't the same. That doesn't mean he's in that all that translates, you know, five games in a summer league doesn't mean he's.
00:08:43
Speaker
You know, he's, he's the difference maker in, in the NBA for the Cavs this year. Um, still a lot to prove and it's still the off season and we'll see what he looks like in the preseason. The competition will be a little bit stiffer than, and he'll be sharing minutes with the Donovan Mitchells and dairies garlands. And, and you know what I mean? So we'll have to see what it is, but you know, it's, it's always good to see your rookie do good in summer league, knowing all the bars very low.
00:09:10
Speaker
It would have been bad if, you know, he had a horrible showing and, uh, you know, nothing really to get excited about then. Right. And then, yeah, as far as like Bates and stuff like that, he's just still very raw. Um, he's a volume score, or at least that's what it feels like. He'll chuck it up no matter what, where he's at. You know what I mean? And just needs to work more on his overall game. Craig Porter Jr. You know, had a couple moments, but nothing crazy. And then, yeah, Travers was.
00:09:37
Speaker
Um, kind of underwhelming, but if you remember his first summer league, he set that bar so high that first year, um, it was going to be hard for him to kind of replicate or beat that in my opinion. But yeah, summer league's done. Cavs go two and three got to see Tyson at least. And, um, it was cool at least seeing some highlights of, of Cavs basketball again, because it feels like it's been so long at this point since we've been able to watch, you know, the wine and gold.
00:10:05
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, I don't think it wouldn't surprise me at all to see, ah you know, we got a new coach, Kenny Atkinson. He's known as a player development sort of coach. So it wouldn't surprise me at all to see him plug Jalen Tyson in and and get some some minutes. Yeah, give him an opportunity. I hope that happens. Yeah, me too. I could see i could see potentially him being the the third or fourth guy off the bench at some point in the season. Might not be game one, you know but at some point in the season, I can see that potentially happening. so yeah hope yeah i mean I hope to see more of him preseason. Yes, definitely, definitely.
00:10:41
Speaker
So that's the Summer League. um That kind of happens. That wraps up. And then a little bit after that, you know at this point, the Donovan Mitchell news had already happened. We talked about it in the last episode. ah Kenny Atkinson comes in. um So those dominoes kind of fell. Summer League happens. And then shortly after Summer League, the Cavs make their next big move Which was extending, giving the max extension, rookie extension to Evan Mobley for five years, $224 million. dollars
00:11:15
Speaker
So that's a lot of money. That's a big number. What's your thoughts on that? Did the calves really have. any choice? Like, was that kind of a no brainer? Was that a smart decision? Because I've seen articles, I've seen fan base, you know, the fan base, that's split per se, but I've seen both sides, you always will with any kind of transaction. But kind of what's your thoughts when you saw that? And and do you think the Cavs really had another choice?
00:11:44
Speaker
i mean i think you hit the nail on the head i i think they didn't have a choice i think i think you make that offer anyway no matter what uh... he's it's hard to find a good big in this league and we need bigs he's a good mobile big he can shoot the ball so his value i think is extremely high he's super young twenty three years old twenty three years old yep he's got a long way to go He you know, he might have another five years before he even hits his prime. Who knows? Right. So the potential is astronomical with him. You've got to give him that deal. He's ah he's ah ah he's one of the core four. He's a linchpin on this roster. So, yeah, I think signing Mobley to a max extension was a no brainer. Yeah. Yeah, totally agree. And I was just going to say that about his prime. I mean, this next five years should be taking him into the beginning of his prime, hopefully.
00:12:40
Speaker
and where he really starts to bud and and hopefully reaches that potential that, you know, we're all clamoring for his Cavs fans. And I'm sure the organization, you know, the Cavs are hoping he reaches that potential as well. The good thing about this, as long as, and so far, you know, he he had some moments this year where he had some health concerns, but he hasn't been, quote unquote, like an injury prone player yet. He's not labeled that, right?
00:13:06
Speaker
So even if a year or two goes down the road, um, things aren't going the calves way. They decide to part ways with Donovan and maybe they they dangle mobile. Like Mobley's value is still going to be there throughout the entirety of this contract. As long as he doesn't turn into like an injury prone player or something crazy like that, which I don't see that happening with him. He's too young. He's too agile. He's too, he's too mobile in my opinion.
00:13:35
Speaker
um like ah like ah anderson verja thinking more Like a I was thinking more like a Kevin Garnett or something like that. But I know Kevin Garnett wasn't injured. You think Kevin Garnett was injured? I'm saying he won't be. I'm saying I think he has the potential to be like a Kevin Garnett at some point in his career as long as he stays healthy. I know you like to just jab at Andy anytime. Oh, I do. I do. like I like when you sneak that in there.
00:14:02
Speaker
But yeah, I think the Cavs had no choice because you know just because you give somebody a contract doesn't mean that they're necessarily like going to be wearing your team's jersey the
Core Roster Evaluation
00:14:11
Speaker
entirety of that contract. And he's young enough to where his value is always going to be there during the whole span of this contract. And we talked a little bit about it on the last episode. There will be a new TV deal that comes up here in the future. And that 224, five years from now, might not look as big as what it does today.
00:14:31
Speaker
Who knows what contracts are going to look like? Exactly. It's funny, though, because we kind of talked about this last week when we were in the office right before we left on vacation. I stopped by your office. We talked to little calves and one of the things that you I think you were kind of saying, what are we going to talk about? Nothing's really happened. The Cavs haven't made any moves this off season. And I was kind of like, well, the Cavs could you know give a extension to Jared Allen. you know They could set yeah extend him three years, 90 million, but why would he do that right before? team you know if If he just stays one more year and then
00:15:07
Speaker
yeah with the tv deal coming he could sign a a much larger max so yeah yeah it's kind of crazy that they ended up signing him for the three or 90 million uh right before this big tv deal is going to happen and we expect the cap to shoot through the roof yeah even farther than it has um i've heard that uh one of the reasons that they did this or they signed him early was because I don't know if you read about this but ah there's six months between yeah signing the the extension and what is it the when they can trade him before the trade deadline.
00:15:44
Speaker
Yep. And so there's talk about, yeah, that that they strategically did that, that if Mobley and Allen aren't working together well on the court, then they have options to exactly Jared Allen. And with this, ah you know, very team friendly contract that he's on and the value he brings and the value he brings, the the the phone will be ringing. The phone was ringing over the summer. We saw reports of that teams were calling on Jared Allen. Teams were not calling on Darius Garland.
00:16:13
Speaker
And we talked about that last episode where, uh, I think it was Wendy who said that Alan has the higher value right now between the two. And this contract is still very friendly. Um, and yeah, that was the one that caught me off guard the most. I didn't even think that wasn't really in play. I hadn't heard any rumors about that, but going back to the comment you were just making, um, I think it's February 2nd is when he'd be eligible because he signed August 2nd. So February 2nd is six months.
00:16:43
Speaker
And that's four days before um the trade deadline for 2025. So like you said, if things just aren't quite working out, the dynamic isn't working out. Alan would become eligible to be traded a couple of days for the trade deadline. And I'm sure there'd be a line of teams you know lining up to to to call the Cavs and willing to take him off of off of our roster if it came down to that.
00:17:08
Speaker
um I think they'd be crazy to trade. I think they would be crazy to trade. him I saw stats you know about his ah you know his PR and all this and you know the Cavs record with him on the court versus the Cavs record without him on the court and how much better they are.
00:17:25
Speaker
Yeah. A whole lot of advanced statistics showing that Jared Allen is a, he's a monster on this team. Uh, whether, you know, the cast fans like to give him flack or him not fitting well with Mobley. Let me tell you, if we got the right coach, he'll make Mobley and Allen work together. Yep. And they will be, there will be a beast on the court playing off each other. Yeah. I know. I was, I was going to say too, I know that there's some cast fans that, you know, just,
00:17:52
Speaker
You plant your flag in the sand where you plant it. You planted it on Andy a long time ago. People are going to plant their flag on Jared Allen and for the sake that, you know, he didn't play in that Boston series. He didn't quote unquote man up or whatever. Um, but at the end of the day, you're going to be cheering for him when he freaking throws down a freaking alley oop over somebody. And yeah, the value he brings on the court with the money for his contract, it makes it very hard to move a piece like that. I bet Varajal is just listening to this podcast shaking his fist. What was that, Alex? Those guys pick and roll guys. I'm going to get them. Yeah. yeah um But yeah, well we'll see what happens there. But that one was was surprising. I didn't see that one coming, and it shocked me the most. And especially when I saw the number, I was i was like, really, that's it?
00:18:47
Speaker
you know what I mean? For the value he brings and maybe it's because he can't shoot threes. I don't know. You know what I mean? But it's just kind of crazy that the cows kind of pulled that off. And really what this tells me, Alex, after seeing the Mitchell extension, the Mobley extension, Allen extension, Garland not traded this off season and off season is not done yet. But hey, you know, um,
00:19:17
Speaker
It feels like the Cavs are all in on the core four. I mean, you make all these moves to bring them all back. You have a new coach who probably is having some say I would imagine in this, in the roster, in the makeup. Heck, I would even go to say that Donovan Mitchell himself is probably having some say on some of these transactions as well. And it feels like the Cavs are all in on this core four.
00:19:47
Speaker
And they are all young enough yet to where this core four could be together for multiple years yet. And I know that freaks out some cast fans and we've, we've talked about this multiple times now, but I kind of want to deep dive this one last
Future Roster and Chemistry
00:20:02
Speaker
time. Cause now that that this is all official bearing some crazy, you know, out of the blue trade that happens in between now and the regular season.
00:20:12
Speaker
They're running it back with the core four. for Now in the time we post this episode, Corey. Yes. For the foreseeable future, it's all in on the core four. Are you all in on the core four or what do you think about what the Cavs are doing right now? Oh, yeah, you know, I'm all about the core four. I think we got a fabulous team. ah This is a team that's improved every season. We went to the, you know, conference finals here and You know, sky's the limit. I think, you know, barring some, ah you know, we stay healthy. i You know, Mitchell stays healthy. Alan stays healthy. Garland doesn't get his job broken mid season. Could be a championship team. I think that's all there is to it. There's some cast fans listening to that right now, laughing and shaking their heads or even turning off this podcast right now. Yeah, I'm sure there are. Yeah, after there's very strong opinions about it, but ah you know what I'm speaking is the truth.
00:21:09
Speaker
so You can hey can downplay it all you want. Oh, you know they they didn't win two years ago. They didn't win last year. They're not going to win it next year. It's like, dude, these these players are getting better. They're playing with each other. ah you know They're improving every so all the time. ah They're getting older. they're These guys are super young. They're getting into their prime. They're growing up together. They're getting better. Yeah, they're getting better together. It's not it's not just running it back.
00:21:36
Speaker
you know They're getting experience, they're getting playing time together, they're learning, they're getting farther into the playoffs. Come on. Yeah, and we've talked about this too. you know it comes A lot of it comes down to luck, right? As far as when it comes to playoff time and ultimately winning a championship, who's going to be healthy at the right time? Who's going to get hot at the right time?
00:21:59
Speaker
Heck, look at all the injuries that happened once the playoffs actually started. Jimmy Butler goes down. Giannis goes down. Mitchell goes down. Allen goes down. Porzingis was out like there's so many. Jalen Brunson gets hurt. there there There were so many teams that at the absolute worst time had injuries pop up. And what is everybody? You know, Boston ends up having, quote unquote, an easier path.
00:22:22
Speaker
And they win a championship finally and they've had the duo of jaylin brown and jason tatum together Since they both have been in the nba They've shuffled some pieces in and out al hofford's been in the last three years now, too But I was looking at their roster over the last couple seasons and sure they've done some things. They had the kemba walker they had ah They brought in Brogdon. They they traded Marcus smart find that like they did some tweaks here and there and But at the end of the day, it's like they stayed true to what they believed their core was and to them their core was Jalen Brown and Jason Tatum
00:23:01
Speaker
Do you know how much they could have gotten trade value if they ever would have decided to trade one of those in the last two, three years to try to go in a different direction? They didn't do that. And what had ended up happening was they both turned into superstars. They learned to play together. They had that chemistry and they finally were able to win their championship. Maybe, just maybe, if some luck goes the Cavs way, this core four can continue to grow and maybe finally punch through.
00:23:28
Speaker
some of the holes, you know, issues that they've had the last couple of years with health and and so on and so forth. And if they could do that, I totally agree with you. This is a very dangerous team if they're healthy and playing together and gel.
00:23:41
Speaker
Yeah, and I'm not saying the kids don't make any moves. I mean, they had literally haven't made us they haven't made any moves, but I'm not saying they shouldn't make any moves. I think, you know, if you can upgrade somewhere to play, I think we still have a hole at the wing, right? Like we got Nyeang and Spruce and they didn't really, you know, they didn't, they didn't light my world on fire. They played, Spruce played well and Nyeang yeah I don't even want to talk about Nying. You know, Meryl kind of broke out a little bit as a three point weapon for us. um But if, you know, if we can move any of those guys, Lavert, Nying, Meryl, Struth, you know, and get somebody else in that we think will play better with our core four, then I think we should do it. but
00:24:26
Speaker
You know, who is that? Where are they at? I, you know, I don't know. Sure. I don't i don't know what the move is, but I trust Kobe Altman at this point. I think he's, he's been a very good GM. And we just lost more listeners. Yeah, I know. I'm not saying very popular things right now. No, no, it's okay though. But like you said, we don't care. We speak what's on our mind and if that's what you believe and that's what you believe.
00:24:49
Speaker
and Dan Gilbert would agree with me same thing with like billionaire same thing with like streus you know and lavert and stuff like that like he just played a full season with this roster i mean there was a lot of different variations of this roster because of the injury history that this team had But it's like, okay, if you trade shoes this off season, you bring in somebody brand new that that person's got to learn how to adjust and play like this team should already have that chemistry. Like right now, this off season, they should all be practicing together and just continuing to build that that chemistry together.
00:25:25
Speaker
um And that's the that's the advantage, I guess, of running it back versus trying to figure out, okay, where are these three new players going to fit into our rotation? When LeBron was here, it felt like every year half the roster changed over.
00:25:40
Speaker
Right. And it was always like it never just really worked out because it was always being shuffled. um You bring in guys that used to be prior, you know, prior superstars in their heyday. And now you're asking them to play for the vet Mitteram. And it just didn't really work out because they were used to being the man. And you know what I mean? So this is a little bit different to where the Cavs have an opportunity to run it back with the same roster, which, again, no, that isn't very popular.
00:26:08
Speaker
But they should already know how to play together. Yeah, yeah, I totally agree. So I feel like a broken record. Yeah, yeah, totally. I mean, there's nothing else you could say at this point. Given my reasons here, but. Yeah, yeah. So one thing that might change, Alex, is Sam Amico seems to think Tristan Thompson will not be brought back by the Cavaliers. He didn't really go into any reasons why or anything like that. And now we're kind of getting into the weeds of the roster a little bit.
00:26:38
Speaker
which is some little things that are out there. What's your thoughts on TT? um I know he kind of had that scandal last year and he ended up missing a bunch of gains and stuff like that. But I think, I feel like we both felt like he he met expectations if not beat what we expected from him last year. And I felt like he actually was contributing throughout the year.
00:26:59
Speaker
I just wonder where Sam Amico is getting that from. you know is he Where's he hearing that from or why he thinks that? right I thought TT played great for us. yeah i mean It could be the whole ah you know performance drug thing that he got popped for, but you know I don't know. a I would like to have him back. I thought he played great.
00:27:22
Speaker
um he's he' He's kind of the opposite of Allen and Mobley, where he's just kind of a big presence in the paint, and he's very physical. He'll bang, he'll grab rebounds, he'll push guys around that push Allen and Mobley around, right? I mean, he's he's got a pretty big weight advantage. He's definitely much more muscular than they are. So I think he adds something to the team that we don't have. So yeah, I would totally bring um Tristan Thompson back.
00:27:52
Speaker
Yeah, I would too. I mean, he brings a veteran presence. he's You're going to get him for pretty cheap, I would imagine. You know, do another one and done kind of deal. I don't know how many more years he has left in him. um He seems to be going hard on the crypto scene these days based on his social media posts. Oh, really? I didn't know anything. I didn't hear about that. It's it's funny. um I forget how long ago it was. It was is right around after we recorded last, I think. he He'll post something on on Twitter, on X or whatever.
00:28:21
Speaker
And he's like, anybody got any recommendations on on whatever crypto he's asking about? What was funny? What was funny was of all people, Delhi responded back to him and recommended some sort of course. And he provided like a link and stuff like that. And I thought that was so I thought that was awesome. Like Delhi saying, hey, man, you got to check out this course on crypto.
00:28:44
Speaker
how to lose your money fast. yeah yeah Yeah, so we'll see what happens with TT. I did see somewhere, you said you saw this too, so I wasn't just imagining it. But there was some article out there at some point, a report out there that the Cavs have interest in potentially bringing back Marcus Morris to the roster. So man, like the Cavs are really, when they when they're say running it back, man, they're really running this thing back potentially. But I figure, you would you be okay with that too if the Cavs decided to go down that path, bring it back Morris? I guess, i I don't think it matters a whole lot. I don't think he really adds
00:29:23
Speaker
all that much uh he got some quality minutes in the playoffs for us when we were he won that one game for us man we were down to a yeah skeleton crew because so many players were just hurt or beat up and they brought in morris and he hit a three here and there but He's one of those players. I could take him or leave him. Yeah, he's but he's one of those players to where it's like, okay, cool. He came here. Like he's one of those players like you don't really like until he plays for your team. And it was, it was fine while he was here. You know, he played whatever, how many games he played. He, he had a couple of good showings, but it's like over the course of an entire season.
00:30:03
Speaker
I don't know. I feel like, you know, he'd become a George Nang where it's like, don't play this guy, you know, and all that stuff. But, Oh, I definitely play him over George Nang. Yeah. Yeah. I would too, but it's, but I'm with you. It's like, if they bring him back, it's like fine. If not, it's fine too. I mean, here's the thing with both TT and Morris, if you can find a better, younger option that can contribute more than what those two guys can, then obviously you entertain that. Right.
00:30:32
Speaker
um So we'll just see what happens. We'll just see what happens. The last, the last bit of news that I saw, um, which we'll see what happens here, but
Player Movements and Opportunities
00:30:43
Speaker
going back to Luke Travers, he was granted out of his contract with the current, uh, I think it was on what the Melbourne team with Delhi, the Australia team.
00:30:53
Speaker
So basically he has gotten out of that operator that out of that contract to pursue NBA opportunities, quote unquote, and the Cavs still own his rights because they drafted him, what was it, two, three years ago now. And speculation is that he may join the Cavs in some sort of fashion. I could see it potentially being a charge roster spot and not necessarily a Cavs roster spot, although You know, I know he is trying to make it to the NBA, but I don't know if he's quite wedded for that. Yeah. I mean, I, he kind of had a mediocre showing in the summer league. Um, I expected to see him, uh, play really well in the summer league and he really didn't. Um,
00:31:40
Speaker
Yeah, yeah, I don't know I ah twoway ah be a a two-way deal with the charge. Sure Yeah, I'd like to see him on the charge. I'd like to see him on the charge at least that that that'd be cool um But we'll see what happens um he definitely has his his fan base still from his his first year and He would be one of those players He'd be like a deli or an Andy if he ever did make it and like playing a Cavs game I think he'd be a fan favorite very quickly just because his style, his look, you know all that kind of just plays a factor. And he'd be be very easy to root for, I think, if he ever made it to to to an NBA team. so Yeah. And i I mean, I kind of feel like the Cavs must have said something to him for him to get out of that. That's what I'm thinking. That's typically how it works is that the NBA team
00:32:32
Speaker
says, hey, we'll pay the fee to get you out of your current contract to become play for us. So I feel like they've already told him to come, you know, that he's going to be either a two way player or they got something in the works for him. Right. Right. Yeah. So we'll see what happens there. We'll keep our eye on that. Maybe by the next time we record, you know, something has officially happened by that point. Um,
00:32:57
Speaker
The only other thing I can think of, Alex, and it's been a little while since I've seen anything on it, but the last thing I saw, and it might have been while we were at both out on vacation, like a week or so ago, with Isaac Akuro. That's kind of like the biggest question mark that's left on this roster, right? And it's been a question mark for quite a while now. We talked about it on the last episode as well. um I saw a report that the Cavs, quote unquote, have felt they have made multiple fair offers to Akuro. And obviously he hasn't accepted that.
00:33:29
Speaker
We haven't seen what those numbers look like. Like there hasn't been any, you know, whoa, tweet saying, you know, the cows have offered a curl this and he's declining it or anything like that. So it's kind of amazing. That type of stuff hasn't got out there. Um, but it's also telling me if that is true, they must be pretty far off, like a curl, what he thinks he's worth versus what the cows can actually pay.
00:33:53
Speaker
feels like it must be pretty significantly off if they haven't come to some sort of agreement here, and that's what's being reported. um Where do you stand on Akuro? Do you want, the like, are you at a point to where, like, the Cavs have to find a way to bring him back? Or are you kind of, like, you know, if it comes to an end, it comes to an end, like, where where do you kind of stand on that?
00:34:19
Speaker
I feel a little mixed on Okoro. I was hoping he would have had ah ah more of a breakout season by now. This past season he knew it was a contract year, yep so I expected him to be ah you know much more aggressive. And he was he did play more aggressive this year. he went to the you You saw him score a bit more. He got to the hoop a bit more. He took more three-point shots. He improved his three-point shot.
00:34:42
Speaker
yep Um, he's still a heck of a defensive presence and, uh, just extremely athletic dude. Uh, geez, I'm kind of, I'm kind of mixed on it. Like it could, it could go either way. Um, I think they should try to keep them if they can. Yeah. I haven't even seen reports of other teams making contract offers or like showing interest in him either.
00:35:07
Speaker
You know what I mean? So I just, it might be one of those things to where, you know, there might not be another option for him. And eventually, you know, he gives in and and accepts, you know, whatever deal the Cavs are, are offering or whatever. But I'm with you. I mean, you know, Akuro was never meant to be an offensive threat or anything like that. We knew that when we drafted him.
00:35:30
Speaker
Um, but he did improve last year. The problem is, and he got plenty of opportunities. I mean, just think of all the injuries last year. And I'm sure there was times where occur was out, but it wasn't like any significant time. So he had plenty of opportunities to like break out. And he had stretches where he was great, but he also had stretches where he was quiet and cold and mainly the end of the season and really into the playoffs. He didn't, you know, he didn't do he didn't do a ton and he didn't do it consistently was the problem. um I think if anybody were if you were to ask a Cavs fan and say, you know, what were the top three to five highlights of the Cavs season last year? I don't think anybody is going to say Isaac Akuro's name like Isaac Akuro showed great growth last year and like had a break like.
00:36:17
Speaker
That didn't happen. You know what I mean? So I feel like that's also why the Cavs drafted who they drafted because. This is something that has probably been foreseen for quite a while. I mean, they didn't extend him last year when they had the opportunity to and they're kind of playing chess right now.
00:36:36
Speaker
So the Cavs draft, you know, Tyson kind of as an insurance policy in case, you know, Caro doesn't work out or they decide to move on from the word at some point and someone, someone, someone and so forth. I didn't really think of it that way. But now that you say it, it makes a lot of sense. Yeah, that could be man.
00:36:57
Speaker
maybe they're Maybe they're bringing Luke Travers to replace him. I don't know. Okora's not one of the core four, but he's been with the core four for the past four years. He was drafted in 2020, I think. He's 23 years old, the exact same age as Mobley. He fits right in the timeline.
00:37:19
Speaker
Uh, if he keeps developing, sure he could be an integral part. I just got to see and more from him. He could be, you know what? I would love to see him be, and I think it could be at some point in his career that like Bruce bow, Bowen type player, that three and D guy that sure. He's not even the top five offensive options on your team, but there were times where Bowen was making an influence.
00:37:49
Speaker
for those Spurs teams because of everything else that he did. You need players like that, right? um He just hasn't developed to that point yet, but he's still very early in his career. And like you said, he's on the same age group as the core four and can continue to evolve with them. The problem is, and we talked about this, I feel like years ago, like when Sexton was still here, I feel like we talked about this. You can't pay everybody though, that's the problem.
00:38:15
Speaker
And if a curl thinks he's worth 20 plus million a year, the calves just don't have that money. Yeah. That's, that's the reality. You know what I mean? So he's kind of the odd man out to at the same time. And, uh, he probably feels he's worth what he's worth and the calves just don't feel that or or can't offer that salary, especially because he's not an offensive player.
00:38:38
Speaker
And that's typically the players that get paid. It's the offensive guys, you know, it's, you're not paying, you there there is no Ben, Ben Wallace's and Dennis Rodman's anymore that are, that are making the money in the NBA. It's the guys that score. Rudy Gobert. Rudy Gobert. Yeah. Yeah.
00:38:56
Speaker
I can't think of any others named named named two more. there two I'll give you till tomorrow morning. When we sign out for work tomorrow morning, I want two more names that are making north of 20 million a year.
Offseason Surprises and Future Outlook
00:39:06
Speaker
Who won? Who won defensive player of the year this year? Some schmuck. Some schmuck named. Probably go bear. I don't know. Jokic. You know, I don't know. Yeah. Not Mobley. So yeah, it wasn't Mobley wasn't Mobley. Maybe next year. Yeah, maybe next year.
00:39:25
Speaker
So that's what's been going on. That's the Cavs transactions that have been happening. Some of them I think we saw coming. Some of them we didn't think was going to happen. I think still it's been just kind of the biggest surprise overall, I think, for Cavs fans with this offseason is the fact that they didn't do anything major.
00:39:44
Speaker
to shake anything up. And there's still time left, but it's really looking like, again, they're all in on this core four. I think Atkinson and it's fair to say as a new coach, you know, you see the pieces there and you want to have your own crack at it. It didn't work out because it wasn't my system. It wasn't my my coaching staff. I want at least until the trade deadline to see what I have. I could totally see any new coach approaching the season like that.
00:40:12
Speaker
um So we'll see what happens, man. i i'm I'm just starting to get excited and starting to get that itch for just Cavs basketball to come back. We're still a while away, but we're in the we're like in those dog days of summer and it's like, man, there's no Cavs news outside of these extensions happening. and And like the summer league was over in a blink of an eye. I just want to get back to some Cavs basketball. So I'm looking forward to it, Alex. And we'll see if anything else happens in between now and then.
00:40:40
Speaker
Hmm have you watched any of the Olympic ah basketball at all? I haven't actually Um, I, I watched a little bit of a replay of one of the games, but that was a while ago. Um, it sucked because we're on vacation, like in the middle of it. And it's like, you're doing something every night. You're exhausted from being out in the sun and swimming all the time. So it's like, I would, I would turn tune in like late at night at like 10 o'clock at night, 10 30 at night. And like horse racing is on, or I watched surfing one night, you know you know what I mean? Like before I went to bed, you know what I mean? Like I didn't catch any of the basketball stuff.
00:41:17
Speaker
But I know all that stuff's on there for replays. Have you been able to catch any of it? Yeah, I just highlights. So I've just been checking out highlights, but ah it looks like the teams rock and they're, they're just destroying everybody. Um, is that, is that, is it just, they just beat Brazil today. Okay. Um, is there the three on three?
00:41:39
Speaker
League happening. Is that going on? I think we talked about that a long time ago. The big three? No, no, no. there was so i thought There's supposed to be some three on three in the Olympics now. Maybe maybe that's not this this Olympics. um I haven't really heard anything about that. I've just been seeing stuff about Team USA. So maybe that's not happening yet.
00:41:56
Speaker
but Yeah, I mean the cow the the team USA is, you know, there hey you know they're they're always a solid squad. They had their years where they were bad, but I'm not surprised to hear that they're just blowing teams out of the water.
00:42:11
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. so You know, Canada's playing well, France is playing well, all the usual suspects. So it'll be interesting. Uh, I think they just beat Brazil in the, I want to say in the quarterfinal. I heard Canada just got eliminated. So oh did they? Okay. Yeah. So we'll see. We'll see what happens there. Canada had a good squad too. Yeah. They, they, they surprising they usually have a good squad. Yeah.
00:42:37
Speaker
Well, Alex, anything else we want to talk about before we wrap up this episode? That's all I have for my end. Anything from your end? No, I think that pretty much covers it. All right. So so for the CAS fans that have been wondering that are watching this on YouTube for 40 minutes now, what jersey is Alex Rockin? um At first, I thought it was like an Eric Snow or like Ben Wallace or something like that. Booby Gibson. Booby Gibson. But ah who are you rocking, Alex? Who are you rocking, the jersey?
00:43:15
Speaker
There it is. Number 23. You know why? I wore this because LeBron's in the Olympics right now. Okay. That's why I wore it. And Alex did add a banner. I wanted to rep. I wanted to support Team USA. There you go. There you go. And Alex ah added a new banner to the background. A very, very cool cast. It actually kind of matches that style of jersey too. So that's kind of cool. Yeah. Yeah, it worked out well.
00:43:40
Speaker
a team you would you ever own would you ever buy a team u.s. a jersey i had a team u.s. a jersey way back when i was in high school i had a penny heart away uh... u.s. a jersey he was number six i'd love to that jersey i don't know what happened to it it's gone man i left it in my closet uh... you know i joined the military right out of high school i went to basic training i went to tech school I came back to my parents where i was ah they yeah from the military and my closet was empty. They had moved all my stuff to like a storage unit and that's i got I got my stuff back from the storage unit, that jersey. I don't know what happened to that jersey. I'd love to have that jersey back. Yeah, that's great. I talked about this very early on when we started with the podcast. I was a Cavs fan growing up, but I was also a Magic fan and Penny was my favorite player growing up and that jersey man. That'd be a good one.
00:44:34
Speaker
You know, another one wouldn would be kind of cool to get. And a lot of people don't remember that Mark Price played for the dream team. I think it was dream team three. That'd be a cool. ah Jersey to find off look on eBay to see what that goes for penny the penny one probably is a Cost you a little bit of money. I wonder what price would go for dang. You're making me Miss it even more now like now i'm and I'm gonna look it up. I'm gonna send you some eBay listings that are 150 bucks plus and then I'm gonna go find a $40 mark price one for starting to make me a little salty here
00:45:07
Speaker
All right, let's wrap this episode up of the Cavs Pick and Roll Podcast. I want to thank you Cavs fans as always for tuning in and listening, and Alex, you want to let them know where they can follow us and connect with us. Yeah, follow us on Facebook, Cavs Pick and Roll Podcast, follow us on Twitter, at Cavs Pick and Roll, shoot us an email, CavsPickAndRoll at gmail dot.com, follow us on Instagram, Tumblr, watch this episode on YouTube, leave us a rating or a review, we'd appreciate it. All right, Cavs fans, there it is. We will talk to you again soon.
00:45:36
Speaker
Peace out, guys fans.