In 2019, when Lebron James departed Cleveland for Los Angeles, he left behind a team in shambles. Though they were technically a finals team, Lebron has a tendency to drastically elevate the level his Cavalier teammates play at. With him gone, this squad was in rough shape. The acquisition of Andre Drummond was the most promising factor going into the season, and the team would finish with a record of 19-46. How did the current Cavs get to where they are? With clever maneuvering and a healthy dose of luck on their side Cleveland used the draft, trades, and free agency signings to climb their way back up the standings. Here’s a look at Cleveland’s rebuild in 2024.
Draft
With the eighth pick in the 2018 draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Collin Sexton. The Cavs would go on to own fifth overall picks the next two years, and would draft Darius Garland (2019) and Isaac Okoro (2020). In 2021 Cleveland would make their most consequential selection with the third overall pick, in Evan Mobley. In 2022 they would own a total of four draft picks, headlined by Ochai Agbaji at 14th. And finally in 2023 they selected Emoni Bates with the 49th overall pick.
While not all of these players remain on the roster today, each played a big role in getting the Cavaliers to where they’re at now.
Trades
Sending away one of the primary ancillary pieces at the end of Lebron’s second Cleveland run, in 2019 Cleveland sent Jordan Clarkson to Utah and received Daunte Exum and two second round draft picks in 2022 and 2023.
The trade that kicked off this iteration of the team’s moves, though, was a four-team trade to acquire Taurean Prince and Jarrett Allen from the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets received Dante Exum and two second round picks from Cleveland, while sending Caris LeVert to Houston and acquiring James Harden from the Rockets. LeVert was then moved from Houston to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Victor Oladipo. Messy, but very significant.
Prince was then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 2022 second round pick to acquire Ricky Rubio.
Rubio would be surprisingly effective on and off the court. Not only did the older guard turn back the clock with a string of impressive performances, but he also provided a much needed veteran presence. Along with Kevin Love, Rubio helped to foster the culture that lives with the current team. After a season-ending injury, Rubio would be shipped to Indiana in exchange for LeVert.
In a three team trade, the Cavaliers would acquire Lauri Markkanen from the Bulls in a deal that saw Derrick Jones Jr moved to Chicago and Larry Nance Jr to Portland.
Although Markkanen would be part of an interesting lineup that involved three seven-footers, he would eventually be moved the next season in the most important trade of Cleveland’s rebuild.
In 2022 Markkanen, Sexton, and Agbaji were sent to Utah along with a slew of first round draft picks and pick swaps in exchange for Donovan Mitchell.
Most recently, in a three team deal, the Cavs would send Cedi Osman and Lamar Stevens to San Antonio and acquire Max Strus from the Miami Heat.
Signings
Due to Cleveland being a small market team, it’s rather difficult to acquire star players through free agency. That doesn’t mean, however, that free agency isn’t vital when it comes to surrounding star players. Ironically, the Cavaliers would sign Rubio (after trading him away) when the Pacers let him go. They would also sign Sam Merrill to a 10-day contract through free agency. Along with rookie Craig Porter Jr, who went undrafted in 2023, Georges Niang rounds out their free agency acquisitions.
Current team
Cleveland currently sits at second in the east, and is playing some of the best basketball in the entire league. Their lineup includes three current or former all stars and a former defensive player of the year contender. Not to mention the supporting cast.
Okoro is able to defend just about anyone. Not to mention the supporting cast. Merrill is one of the best three point shooters in the league right now, Strus is able to both shoot and defend effectively (if a bit inconsistently) and Niang has become essential in stretching the floor and bringing team spirit up.
The 2024 Cavaliers, though far from fulfilling their full potential, are the encapsulation of what a rebuild should be. To put it into perspective, Philadelphia’s been “trusting the process” since 2016 when they drafted Ben Simmons. Although widely considered a better quality team than the Cavaliers (when healthy), they still have yet to reach the Finals. They’re in the same position as this Cleveland squad, even with the head start. .
With the Cavs entering the all star break winning 18 of their last 20, they hope to keep their momentum.
They host the Orlando Magic this Thursday night (February 22) at 7:00 PM.
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