Report: Cavs have roster problem that they ‘really want’ to solve

The peak of the NBA offseason has already come and gone, but that doesn’t mean the summer is over. Some teams still have questions that need to be answered, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are one of them.

Based on a new report from Sam Amico of Hoops Wire, the Cavs are looking to solidify their depth behind bigs Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. It sounds like they’re hoping to add someone to the rotation who can play minutes at both power forward and center.

Cleveland doesn’t necessarily have to go the external route in order to make that happen, but it seems like it’s on the table. This is a problem that the Cavs think they’re going to solve, according to the report.

“In the Cavs’ search for a backup power forward, center, is Nae’Qwan Tomlin that guy?” posed Amico. “Kenny Atkinson went on NBA TV during the Cavs’ Summer League game and said he’s got a really good shot to be a regular part of our rotation, speaking of Tomlin.

“There’s interest there, as far as I know, in bigs like Thomas Bryant. If you get on Hoops Wire, we have a whole list…of remaining available veteran NBA free agents by position. So, there are definitely some centers on there.

“… So, the Cavs are gonna be exploring that list, but I think that they’re also exploring…would it make sense to move Dean Wade and get one of those guys back who can relieve Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley? That’s one thing that they really want is somebody they can count on to relieve their power forward and center.

“If you remember last season, Kenny Atkinson kinda had to platoon Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley and keep one on the floor at all times because they didn’t have what they considered a reliable third-string center, power forward type. They’re gonna solve that problem, they believe, before camp. It may be during camp. It may be early in the regular season.”

Since the Cavs appear committed to giving their “core four” of Mobley, Allen, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell another chance to make a run, it’s important that the team makes some changes around the edges to avoid completely running it back with a roster that fell short last season.

This offseason, some changes have indeed come, highlighted by the additions of guard Lonzo Ball and big man Larry Nance Jr. and the departures of wing Isaac Okoro and guard Ty Jerome. But based on Amico’s report, the work isn’t necessarily done yet.

Injuries certainly played a part in Cleveland’s disappointing exit in the second round of the playoffs last season, so it’s hard to confidently judge how far the team might’ve gone if healthy. Regardless, the Cavs haven’t simply sat on their hands this offseason, instead remaining active enough to keep their roster competitive.

Mobley and Allen have been staples in Cleveland’s frontcourt for several years now, and both of them have helped the team form an identity. Mobley just had the best offensive season of his career so far (and won Defensive Player of the Year honors) while Allen led the league in field-goal percentage and almost averaged another double-double. Each player has been named to one All-Star Game.

To give them a little bit more support on the depth chart would certainly be a positive step, and it will be worth monitoring how the Cavs end up checking that box either this offseason or as the season gets going.