Thanks to the intriguing addition of rookie swingman Isaac Okoro, drafted with the No. 6 pick out of Auburn, the Cavaliers will suddenly face some fun wing rotation questions, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
Fedor speculates that Collin Sexton will most likely remain the starter at the shooting guard slot, pointing to head coach J.B. Bickerstaff‘s recent praise of Sexton. Bickerstaff declined to officially confirm whether or not Sexton would start.
“I think his performance last year, and at the end of last season, was above and beyond,” Bickerstaff said. “I think he’s one of those guys who earns the opportunity to play extended minutes.”
Fedor opines that the tough, defensive-minded Okoro’s strong showing in training camp and the preseason suggests that he deserves the opportunity to start over incumbent starting small forward Cedi Osman.
There’s more out of the Central Division:
- The Bucks are benefiting from a “Giannis effect” merchandise boon, according to Jabari Young of CNBC. “The phone calls started both ways,” Matt Pazaras, chief business development and strategy officer for Milwaukee, said. The team’s sponsored jersey patch is now open for new bidders after its deal with Harley-Davidson expired this offseason. Interest in a sponsorship is strong now that MVP forward Giannis Antetokounmpo inked a record five-year, $228MM contract extension.
- The G League affiliate of the Pacers, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, intend to take part in the proposed G League “bubble,” according to team president Tim Bawmann in a conversation on 1380 The FAN’s Sports Rush with Brett Rump, (hat tip to Caitlin Cooper of Indy Cornrows). Bawmann notes that the bubble’s locale could be Atlanta or Orlando.
- With the 2020/21 NBA regular season fast approaching, James L. Edwards III of the Athletic assesses the depth chart for the Pistons and, in a surprise, speculates that oft-injured power forward Blake Griffin and new small forward Jerami Grant could play the most minutes per game (28) for a rebuilding Detroit team.
I thought Sexton was the next scoring PG. Can’t guard SG.
Sexton has rarely played PG offensively. His D either way, and his passing, is not strong. I suspect he is encouraged to focus on ripping into the defense… or was that my idea.
He was playing SG last year, but you’re right he has trouble guarding SGs. But not because he’s a bad defender but because he’s under sized.
Garland seems to need t move to shooting guard. He is the passer we thought he was coming out.
Why is it a surprise that Grant would play the most minutes? They signed him to a big contract.
’cause he sucks big time!
Cavs realistically should be looking at flipping Kevin Love for the best pick available, and heavily scouting the top of this years draft class.
There’s some real superstars coming to the NBA next year and your going to want the right player and the right fit. Cavs should have a top 5 pick.
That means they should be looking at Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Suggs, Jonothan Kuminga, Jalen Johnson and Zaire Williams. I’d say Suggs or Cunningham should the top 2 for the Cavs.
Lol the best pick available for Kevin Love is a booger. Dude is getting way too much money and is in the decline. His glory days are long gone. Dont think cavs will get much more than some milk money and a handshake if you know what I mean
Yeah definitely not much of a market but I mean maybe the Sixers would flip Tobias Harris and a first for KLove and a second or something like that.
Cavs would have to take back a bad deal but I would take back one if it meant getting a first rounder this year
Sixers just got rid of a massive contract in Horford, I dont know why they’d be in a rush to take on a new one. I mean sure, anything is possible, but with revenue already in a tight spot, unless he fits an exact need for a team come trade deadline I’d say the odds are probably not great.
OKC would be willing to trade Horford for Kevin Love.
The surprise in the The Athletic article was that Dzanan Musa, who they traded for, was waived instead of Rodney McGruder for the last spot. HC Casey seemed to favor Musa.
That Blake and Grant should be the starting forwards is pretty obvious. Maybe Alex K. thinks they should be tanking, but nobody does much of that anymore.
Posters are still questioning not retaining Wood.
Guards will be Killian Hayes & Delon Wright, per this writer… but team will do better with second unit, Rose & Svi.
I was being sarcastic. He was drafted as their next PG. A scoring PG in college. And still is listed as a PG. At 6’1” he will only be a PG. Cause he will have to guard PGs. Garland seems to be better PG. Sexton better scorer. But those two in starting backcourt is not going to work. They need a real SG.
I agree Cavs should move Drummond and Love by TD. Be all in on next draft. It’s a deep draft. Plenty of SG and skilled Forwards there. Okoro is a solid pick. Like him a lot. Could be next Butler.
Yeah…okoro is good pick.i dont hate patrick william,but i like okoro more than him
Porter should play SG. Okoro SF. Sexton PG.
Random G league question. If the NBA does not have a game scheduled is it within NBA rules to let any NBA player play on the G league team or is it only the two way players?
Any player with fewer than three years of NBA service can be assigned to the G League at any time. Older players have to consent to an assignment (it would usually only happen for rehab purposes).
I imagine there won’t be much back and forth this year though, if the G League is playing in a bubble.