CLEVELAND, Ohio – Devoid of the assets of the championship years with victory at all costs and sacrifice of anything, Cavaliers’ general manager, Koby Altman, left on a mission a few years ago. He called this the accumulation of assets.
With LeBron James dead and an inevitable reconstruction, the Cavs’ main path back to respectability was through the draft. The goal was to acquire as many picks as possible, whether to use on young building blocks – Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, Dylan Windler, Kevin Porter Jr. and Isaac Okoro – or to accumulate, waiting patiently for the right time to attack via trade, the secondary path to substantial improvements.
Throughout Altman’s often-criticized term, he reached many singles. A protected first-round player. A second round. A few seconds plus a contract expiring. Commercial exceptions.
Then came Wednesday afternoon. An Altman home run.
“What you are seeing in the last few transactions is really profiting from a lot of these singles,” said Altman on Thursday afternoon via Zoom. “Adding a 22 year old center, entering its fourth year in the championship, this is proven, that it has more advantages, that it has all the intangibles that you are looking to add to your culture, having this opportunity yesterday, we just felt it was too good to let go ”.
Cavs was a voluntary participant in James Harden’s blockbuster that took him to Brooklyn, giving up the unprotected choice of Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of 2022, the injured point guard Dante Exum and a second round of 2024 that has minimal value in exchange for the pivot Jarrett Allen and Prince Taurine’s sturdy wing 3 and D.
Although the deal became official on Thursday morning, the legwork started months ago.
Cleveland’s board spoke to the Nets during the free agency, asking about Allen’s availability as a possible replacement for Tristan Thompson. Even though Brooklyn hesitated, members of his office remembered the interest and got in touch on Wednesday afternoon, pulling the Cavs into a change of scenery deal that will be remembered for years.
“If you are doing your job, you are registering interest well before,” said Altman. “Things got very hot, I would say, to the fact that they knew we could do something to help them reach their ultimate goal.”
The Nets were desperate to beat Harden’s offer of the Philadelphia 76ers, and they couldn’t do it alone. With three high-priced stars and no chance of rehiring Allen as a restricted free agent this off-season, the Nets parted ways with the talented young man and fired Prince’s massive salary while also getting a future draft choice.
Brooklyn took your man. The Cavs too. Plus Prince.
“Jarrett adds a piece that certainly (fits in) a long-term view in terms of how we want to play, how JB wants to play,” said Altman. “All we know about him is a wonderful person, a great character, a team. Intellectually brilliant, it fits our youth group. And adding Prince Taurean is also a big deal for us. A tough and defensive player that we know will also add to this group. These two will appear at our door later today, and we are ready to welcome you with open arms. “
Allen, 22, is the type of player who rarely makes it to the trading market, and if he does, it usually costs more than a losing contract at the end of the first round and a replacement choice. This season, he averaged 11.2 points on 67.7% of the field to go with 10.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks.
Given Allen’s combination of age, production and altruistic style, he is in line for a big payout this summer.
“I think he has a lot of room for advantage,” said coach JB Bickerstaff. “What is clear and an advantage for him is that he knows who he is and knows what his game is. I think these are the guys who have been more successful and faster, when they don’t have to try to find out exactly who they are. They just go out and know who they are from the beginning, and then we can build and develop from there. I think it’s a great place to start. “
The free agency is not usually fruitful for Cleveland. It is difficult to win a bidding war against more attractive competitors. That way, Cavs has internal control. In addition to getting their bird rights and having the opportunity to match any offer this summer, they can acclimate Allen to Bickerstaff’s system and style. Allow him to learn everything about the organization.
“It is better to have it at home than to try to acquire it during a restricted free agency,” said Altman. “To give up the value we have given, we definitely see it in our long-term future.”
With Allen arrested as the newest member of the Cleveland core, the team’s vision suddenly came into focus. The detractors used to point out that the Cavs are an inadequate collection of young talent. Many guards. Not enough … well … anything else. It is difficult to say that now.
There is still a level of uncertainty with Garland-Sexton’s undersized backcourt. Cavs need more information before deciding whether it will work. But the front line recognized the best way to alleviate persistent defensive concerns: Interior size and rim protection.
Allen will be the backline anchor. Prince can face some of those toughest clashes against the league’s best perimeter scorers, sharing that responsibility with Okoro, who continues to show exciting flashes after being the 5th choice in the 2020 draft.
“We probably have the best, youngest protective center for the rim of the league, which helps us in defense – something that has been our focus,” said Bickerstaff. “Not to mention the vertical spacing he provides on the offensive side, the way he is able to navigate the offensive side to help our guards when they are healthy. Taurine, his ability to space the floor, the hardness it brings. This is the type of person we are looking for and players too. “
Look at the future of the Cavs. There is more hope today. Garland and Sexton on the backcourt – if they are able to thrive together. Okoro as the small potential two-way striker with a defense mentality first and countless intangibles. Allen, the threat of the bouncing lob, roller, hoop runner and defensive axis. Larry Nance Jr. as the versatile striker of all with a high basketball IQ, throwing out strokes and disturbing hands. There is also the tempting swingman Porter and the sniper Windler, 20 years old.
“We are very excited about the progress of this group,” said Altman. “You can go below the line, from 23 years old onwards, but then we have some really important vets who will help with this process of making sure that we are still playing meaningful basketball games and trying to get some wins. “
Cavs knew that coming this season, it was not time to hit the “go” button. They already had a full list and a limited salary limit. So they made minor moves to complement the squad, letting Bickerstaff lay the groundwork, disinfect the culture and put his brand on the franchise as the young players grew up.
Altman said on Thursday that the Cavs are still in evaluation mode. They have guys who can play. They know that. Now they need to find out how good these pieces really are. This is the next step. Well, that, and winning more games, which will be much easier when players return from the injury list and after Allen and Prince’s additions.
Everything is part of the plan, which looks even better, but is still far from being completed.
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