With the NBA Summer League officially underway, the Cleveland Cavaliers are set to hit the court late this week. Winning last season’s championship, Cleveland has a chance to repeat this summer. But, what would that actually mean? And are there any other positives for the Cavaliers that can be taken away from this summer? Here’s a look at what a second Summer League Championship would mean for the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers have a number of returning faces this summer. Among them are Emoni Bates, Craig Porter Jr, Luke Travers and Pete Nance.
However, as is the nature of the Summer League, there are also a lot of new faces. These include Hunter Cattoor, Dexter Dennis, Jayvon Graves, Gabe Osabuohien, Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Zhaire Smith and, the newest additions, Jaylon Tyson and DJ Burns.
While there could be changes before their games get rolling, this roster should essentially be their roster for the summer. Now a look at what success would mean for the franchise, and how it could affect certain particular players.
Although Summer League Championships aren’t exactly the best indication for NBA success, they do signal that a franchise is able to effectively gather young talent. This is crucial for Cleveland, as the bulk of their money will be going to a few specific players.
If the Cavaliers can win a second consecutive Summer League Championship, it would mean two things. First, it would mean that Cleveland has a solid group of talented prospects. With the inevitable injuries that will come with the season, having a quality stash of players to turn to will be beneficial.
Second, it would establish a winning culture with the younger players. While these players may not see much of the NBA court, adjusting them to a winning climate is exactly what Cleveland needs to do in order to draw the best out of these players on the big stage. Especially with the position the Cavaliers are in (near contention), this attitude could go a long way.
This summer will also give a chance for Porter Jr and Bates to show how much they’ve developed. While Porter Jr has already proven he can play at the NBA level, Bates has yet to be given a real chance. If he puts out big performances this summer, he could very well find himself on the main roster. Tyson and Burns too, neither of which are expected to have a major impact, can make their respective cases for big league time.
Again, Summer League Championships are no indication of success at the NBA level. But with the experience it would give these young players, it could go a long way in the Cavaliers path to the Finals.
The Cavaliers play their first Summer League game this Friday (July 12) at 4:00 pm against the Orlando Magic.
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Featured photo courtesy of NBA.com
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