The Cavaliers‘ first winning season since 2018 ended in disappointing fashion with two play-in tournament losses. The club finished 2021/22 with a 44-38 record, the eighth best in the East, but was defeated by the Nets and Hawks in successive play-in contests after being hit with the injury bug. Another bright spot this year: two Cavaliers players, point guard Darius Garland and center Jarrett Allen, made their All-Star debuts.
On Tuesday, team president Koby Altman sat down with reporters for an extensive end-of-season press conference. Kelsey Russo of The Athletic captured Altman’s comments in an excellent article.
Altman discussed his feelings regarding a disappointing conclusion to what had been an exciting year for the Cavaliers. “I’m still a little heartsick, to be honest with you,” he admitted. “It’s hard to process the season ending the way it did and that we’re not still playing, but such a remarkable year for so many reasons. A long runway ahead of exciting basketball. So, we’re excited, really excited for the future obviously, and the work continues.”
Here’s more from Altman’s media session:
- Guard Collin Sexton, a restricted free agent this summer, was enjoying a solid start to the year before being sidelined with a season-ending meniscus injury just 11 games into 2021/22. The emergence of Garland may have made Sexton a luxury for the Cavaliers, depending on his sticker price. “He, in a lot of ways, was the start of not only the rebuild, but the culture that we have in place now,” Altman said of Sexton. “To lose him [with the knee injury], you can see throughout the year why we missed him or how we missed him. So, we owe Collin a great debt of gratitude for what he’s done, the work he’s put in and he continues to put in. An important part of his team.”
- Trade deadline addition Caris LeVert battled injuries during his brief tenure with Cleveland. The wing has one season left on his current deal, and could be extended by the Cavaliers. “Caris, he got unfortunately derailed right after All-Star break,” Altman said. “He was coming to a place that had enormous success already, that had roles, defined roles, guys that are having a lot of success, All-Star seasons. To try to fit in was not easy. It wouldn’t be easy for anybody. But I love what Caris brought to the table — his competitive fire, he defended; he fit right in.”
- Because Cleveland missed the playoffs following its play-in losses, the club will retain the 2022 lottery pick it acquired in its trade for LeVert. “I think we’ve done an incredible job through the draft, and taking a step back now and looking at the [upcoming] draft, I like the draft,” Altman said. “I’m not just saying that. Where our pick lands, can we get another … there’s nothing wrong with having another young player that you can develop.” Russo adds that Cleveland also possesses two second-round selections.
Booker will take this Q4 and send Pellys back to the 9th ward…Nostradunker has spoken
Lol he is injured. Guess I “misread” the situation w Booker
NOLA was coming back and and Reggie Miller said “Im looking but I dont see Booker on the sidelines or anywhere”… oops.
Mccollum & Alvarado never gave the Suns a chance to re-align.
Right away are two of the three WC teams contesting that I thought would be charging ahead after the trade deadline moves (Mavs got Dinwiddie, Pels got Mccollum, Suns did not blow it). Who to root for? I liked Sacto’s midseason trade too but it sent Holmes into a funk and Sabonis promptly got injured, so any momentum was ruined.
The Cavs had a similar problem with Lavert, and then all the other injuries too.
Cavs can find a shooter at 14. I believe that’s where they pick. A wing a SG. I would move Sexton at the draft. And keep building this team.
I don’t think he can be moved at the draft since his deal is expiring this summer. I think he can only be resigned, match an offer, or sign and trade him in once FA starts
Missing the playoffs might be a blessing in disguise. Could be a huge motivation for these young guys to continue to get better.
Sexton’s destiny is 6th man on this Cleveland team. Garland looked much better running the team once Sexton was injured. They need a good guard off the bench.
It is always a good idea to keep young star players.
@Sullivan
I agree with you. I just don’t get the logic of wanting to jettison a gifted young scorer like Sexton unless you’re getting back something equal in value of a star level player.
So what they have Garland. GSW have two proven elite scorers and offensive 3rd in the making in Poole.
What ways can a market like Cleveland bring in talent? We lucked up on Allen. They’ve done a good job of drafting at the top of the draft (Sexton, Garland and Mobley). They are unable to lure top FA to Cleveland. Not even LBJ were able to attract superstars to join the Cavs. What are the odds of the Cavs attracting a high scoring guard with a mid round pick? Not saying it CAN’T happen but it’s a long shot. Who knows how long they’ll take to develop and does it coincide with the team’s upward mobility? The Cavs have drafted just a couple of guys that have turned into 22+ ppg guys. LBJ, Kyrie and Sexton. Honestly, Rich Paul reps both Garland and Sexton. I wouldn’t assume that Garland will be around long term, especially if they low ball Sexton. They will have $60 mil coming off after next season in Love, Osman and Levert.
I thought I was as big a Caris LeVert fan as there was, but maybe Altman has me beat. He showed superstar potential with BKN, but hasn’t been able to build on it since. Might be injuries (again), or the way he was used by IND and CLE, but the simple fact is he hasn’t been as impactful with either team as I would have thought. If I’m CLE, LeVert is a HOLD at this point. I wouldn’t be aggressive in going after Sexton either (to keep long term at least). If I’m them, I’d look to upgrade on the wings with a veteran. They got their 1st back with the playin losses; I’d put that in play.