Cavaliers big men Jarrett Allen and Larry Nance Jr. have resumed basketball-related activities on a limited basis and may be ready to play next week, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Both players were able to work out during a practice session Friday.
Allen has been sidelined since suffering a concussion in a March 26 game. He missed his seventh consecutive game tonight and isn’t expected to play Sunday. Sources tell Fedor he may return Wednesday at Charlotte if he continues to progress through the league’s concussion protocol.
Nance has missed the past four games while fighting the effects of an unknown illness that resulted in a loss of about 20 pounds and forced him to be bedridden. A source told Fedor that Nance is “close to feeling like himself once again.” The team is also looking at a Wednesday return for Nance if his recovery continues. The Cavs will practice Tuesday before making a final decision on either player.
There’s more from Cleveland:
- Matthew Dellavedova‘s return has given Cleveland the backup point guard it has been lacking all season, Fedor writes in a separate story. Dellavedova, who missed 47 games due to a concussion, whiplash, and an emergency appendectomy, is averaging a modest 2.3 points and 5.5 assists through four games, but his plus-minus rating is at plus-29 in 70 minutes. “Delly really does a great job of playing with his brain,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “He understands how to set the table for other people. His game isn’t based on himself. When your game is based on the team and making your teammates’ job easier, it makes … your comeback a little bit easier.” The Cavs signed Yogi Ferrell and Quinn Cook to 10-day contracts to try to fill Dellavedova’s role, but neither was kept on the roster.
- Forward Taurean Prince will likely need ankle surgery once the season is done, Fedor tweets. Acquired in a January trade, Prince has one more year on his contract at $13MM.
- Cavaliers players, coaches and staff members received COVID-19 shots March 30, Fedor adds in another piece. Because it was the Johnson & Johnson version, they won’t have to schedule a second dose, except for Bickerstaff, who got a Moderna shot before the others became available.
If Cavs want to make playoffs next season, they need a new GM and a new coach
Everything is perfect if Cavs want to tank
They almost never had to tank before LeBron was there. During the 11 years he was with the team they won 21 playoff series, but in the other 40 years of their existence the Cavaliers have managed to win just 4 playoff series.
Storytime. You know what would have changed that record houston?—
Akeem Olajuwon was available in trade in 1992 after a dispute but before the Rockets hit their peak, and the Cavs had a young allstar center to trade who could pass. There is no record of an offer being made but the franchises went in opposite directions. Cavs were probably too happy with recent success to offer. Also Brad Daugherty was a model player in comparison, but faded soon. T Dream lasted long, 15 years.
Hakeem the Dream is a national treasure in Houston along with the other #34’s who played for the Oilers and Astros, Earl Campbell and Nolan Ryan. As amazing as James Harden was during the many years he spent with the Rockets he never endeared himself to the fans here the way that Olajuwon did.
Taurean should elect to have surgery now and sit out the season. Why risk it getting worse? We’ll need him next season for when we will clearly be contending for a title.