INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 15: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on October 15, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo: (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - The Cavaliers tip off their 2021-2022 Wednesday night as they take on the Grizzlies in Memphis. Hear Complete Cavs Coverage on WTAM, the pre-game show “Cavs Now” with Dennis Manoloff begins at 7 p.m. followed by the Cavs Tip Off Show with Mike Snyder at 7:30 p.m. and catch all the play by play with Tim Alcorn and Jim Chones at 8 p.m.
The Cavaliers are expected to improve over their 22-50 record in 2020-2021. The team added Evan Mobley out of USC with the 3rd pick of the NBA draft and signed center Jarrett Allen to a 5-year/$100M deal. They also traded Larry Nance Jr. in a three-team deal that landed them Lauri Markkanen from the Bulls. Markkanen is a 7-foot stretch 3 or 4 player who shot 40.2% from three-point range last season. He will most likely come off the bench but could see playing time with Mobley and Allen giving the Cavs a big line-up size wise.
Despite the Colin Sexton trade rumors, he’s back alongside Darrius Garland in the backcourt. Sexton averaged 24.3 points per game last season and Garland averaged 17.4 points per game. Both are looking to improve their game especially on the defensive end of the court.
Also back is Isaac Okoro, who was the 5th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. Okoro is known for his defense, but he still averaged 9.6 points per game last season.
Kevin Love is expected to see playing time off the bench after an injury riddled 2020-2021 season.
Cavs General Manager made some moves to improve the team in the off-season adding Mobley, Markkanen and veteran point guard Ricky Rubio. Whether they can make the jump to become a playoff team or get in the play in tournament as a 9th or 10th seed remains to be seen.
Listen to Cavs basketball on WTAM 11000, 106.9 FM or on the iHeartRadio app HERE