2025-26 Off-Season

[toooskies]

Tomlin is way too little for my liking. 6'8.25" barefoot, so i do not believe his list height. I watched i think 3 or 4 of his games last season, he's still very raw.

Koby has refused to seriously address back-up center since January 2021 and it is beyond baffling.

Nae'Qwan has a 7'2.5" wingspan and a 9'1" standing reach and in the past we would have called him 6'10" so he has the length to be the kind of small mobile C I think would be a reasonable compromise; but is surprisingly listed at just 210 at 24 years of age? That weight may be BS as it's the same weight he was listed at Kansas State.

I imagine we rate him higher than any of the C prospects left at 59, and the guy we did grab will tell you we'd rather grab a younger player who might develop in to something useful than take an older guy who we know can't move his feet.

No guarantee any of these guys are or will be ready to contribute this season, though, so if we really want someone other than TT and Dean to play backup C minutes we should be looking for a vet min signing, trade, or even just see who other team's release.

I've got to imagine the Nets can't just add 5 first round picks to their roster without letting someone go ...

To the bold, no, Chat Sports did a great job covering this on the live stream. Player agents tell teams to not draft their guys. It's no shock Goldin and Dixon signed 2way deals right as the clock expired on the draft. Niang will never play a single NBA minute, complete waste of a pick. I woulda taken a domestic stash over that.

Proctor will for sure be in Kenny's 10 man rotation, at least early in the season; assuming TJ and Sam are gone.

The Nets have like 3 guys under contract as of today, they could add all 5 rookies, if they wanted to.

Having spent 3 years watching more Duke games with Proctor in them, Proctor wasn’t much of a standout even at the college level. If he was ready for a rotation spot he’d have been drafted in the first round.

The expectations here should be that he’s firmly behind Tyson and CPJ if we lose both Jerome and Merrill. (He maybe gets spot minutes early while DG is out.)

He’s the 14th man and he’s getting a roster spot because 2nd rounder rookies are the cheapest full roster spots you can find, which saves us cash over any other option.

As far as Niang goes, given there was only one pick after us, and how many agents were arranging deals for picks, a stash and then negotiating a UDFA deal with an NBA player. The Cavs didn’t do that, but most of the guys drafted in the 50s aren’t going to see an NBA court.

[JujitsuFlip]

Nae'Qwan has a 7'2.5" wingspan and a 9'1" standing reach and in the past we would have called him 6'10" so he has the length to be the kind of small mobile C I think would be a reasonable compromise; but is surprisingly listed at just 210 at 24 years of age? That weight may be BS as it's the same weight he was listed at Kansas State.

I imagine we rate him higher than any of the C prospects left at 59, and the guy we did grab will tell you we'd rather grab a younger player who might develop in to something useful than take an older guy who we know can't move his feet.

No guarantee any of these guys are or will be ready to contribute this season, though, so if we really want someone other than TT and Dean to play backup C minutes we should be looking for a vet min signing, trade, or even just see who other team's release.

I've got to imagine the Nets can't just add 5 first round picks to their roster without letting someone go ...

To the bold, no, Chat Sports did a great job covering this on the live stream. Player agents tell teams to not draft their guys. It's no shock Goldin and Dixon signed 2way deals right as the clock expired on the draft. Niang will never play a single NBA minute, complete waste of a pick. I woulda taken a domestic stash over that.

Proctor will for sure be in Kenny's 10 man rotation, at least early in the season; assuming TJ and Sam are gone.

The Nets have like 3 guys under contract as of today, they could add all 5 rookies, if they wanted to.

Having spent 3 years watching more Duke games with Proctor in them, Proctor wasn’t much of a standout even at the college level. If he was ready for a rotation spot he’d have been drafted in the first round.

The expectations here should be that he’s firmly behind Tyson and CPJ if we lose both Jerome and Merrill. (He maybe gets spot minutes early while DG is out.)

He’s the 14th man and he’s getting a roster spot because 2nd rounder rookies are the cheapest full roster spots you can find, which saves us cash over any other option.

As far as Niang goes, given there was only one pick after us, and how many agents were arranging deals for picks, a stash and then negotiating a UDFA deal with an NBA player. The Cavs didn’t do that, but most of the guys drafted in the 50s aren’t going to see an NBA court.

I don't agree with that. I think his slight frame plus absolutely choking in the 2025 March Madness biggest moments made his stock fall.

Tyson is a non factor in this conversation. Tyson needs to prove he can leapfrog Okoro, so we can finally dump Okoro. If not, he may have to wait until year 3 once Wade walks in the summer of 2026.

I personally have him in front of CPJ because his length and his shooting ability.

So if he only got a spot on the 15 man roster to save cash, why would the Cavs not do that with 58 as well? You'd save double the cash. I believe this guy firmly has a spot in Kenny's 10 man rotation.

[jbk1234]

Tomlin is way too little for my liking. 6'8.25" barefoot, so i do not believe his list height. I watched i think 3 or 4 of his games last season, he's still very raw.

Koby has refused to seriously address back-up center since January 2021 and it is beyond baffling.

Nae'Qwan has a 7'2.5" wingspan and a 9'1" standing reach and in the past we would have called him 6'10" so he has the length to be the kind of small mobile C I think would be a reasonable compromise; but is surprisingly listed at just 210 at 24 years of age? That weight may be BS as it's the same weight he was listed at Kansas State.

I imagine we rate him higher than any of the C prospects left at 59, and the guy we did grab will tell you we'd rather grab a younger player who might develop in to something useful than take an older guy who we know can't move his feet.

No guarantee any of these guys are or will be ready to contribute this season, though, so if we really want someone other than TT and Dean to play backup C minutes we should be looking for a vet min signing, trade, or even just see who other team's release.

I've got to imagine the Nets can't just add 5 first round picks to their roster without letting someone go ...

To the bold, no, Chat Sports did a great job covering this on the live stream. Player agents tell teams to not draft their guys. It's no shock Goldin and Dixon signed 2way deals right as the clock expired on the draft. Niang will never play a single NBA minute, complete waste of a pick. I woulda taken a domestic stash over that.

Proctor will for sure be in Kenny's 10 man rotation, at least early in the season; assuming TJ and Sam are gone.

The Nets have like 3 guys under contract as of today, they could add all 5 rookies, if they wanted to.

No one drafted in the second round is for sure going to be in the rotation. Bates and Travers shouldn't even be rostered next season. They're not NBA players. After pick 45, it's a complete crapshoot and that's true regardless of whether they're in Cleveland or overseas. The advantage of having them overseas is that someone else is paying to develop them, and worst case scenario you can traded their rights instead of a fake second. It's just a numbers game. The Spurs missed on plenty of their stash players.

[ijspeelman]

I admittedly watch next to no college ball. Anyone have a read on Proctor's defense?

From the small amount of reading and film watching I've done, he seems like a potential C&S guy off the bench

[JujitsuFlip]

Nae'Qwan has a 7'2.5" wingspan and a 9'1" standing reach and in the past we would have called him 6'10" so he has the length to be the kind of small mobile C I think would be a reasonable compromise; but is surprisingly listed at just 210 at 24 years of age? That weight may be BS as it's the same weight he was listed at Kansas State.

I imagine we rate him higher than any of the C prospects left at 59, and the guy we did grab will tell you we'd rather grab a younger player who might develop in to something useful than take an older guy who we know can't move his feet.

No guarantee any of these guys are or will be ready to contribute this season, though, so if we really want someone other than TT and Dean to play backup C minutes we should be looking for a vet min signing, trade, or even just see who other team's release.

I've got to imagine the Nets can't just add 5 first round picks to their roster without letting someone go ...

To the bold, no, Chat Sports did a great job covering this on the live stream. Player agents tell teams to not draft their guys. It's no shock Goldin and Dixon signed 2way deals right as the clock expired on the draft. Niang will never play a single NBA minute, complete waste of a pick. I woulda taken a domestic stash over that.

Proctor will for sure be in Kenny's 10 man rotation, at least early in the season; assuming TJ and Sam are gone.

The Nets have like 3 guys under contract as of today, they could add all 5 rookies, if they wanted to.

No one drafted in the second round is for sure going to be in the rotation. Bates and Travers shouldn't even be rostered next season. They're not NBA players. After pick 45, it's a complete crapshoot and that's true regardless of whether they're in Cleveland or overseas. The advantage of having them overseas is that someone else is paying to develop them, and worst case scenario you can traded their rights instead of a fake second. It's just a numbers game. The Spurs missed on plenty of their stash players.

I mean Proctor got a standard NBA contract, that is rare for the Cavs.

But when a guy mocked in the late 20s falls to 49, you sure as crap bet he's a rotation player. Especially being WAY cheaper than the 2 guys he's replacing in Merrill and Jerome.

[jbk1234]

To the bold, no, Chat Sports did a great job covering this on the live stream. Player agents tell teams to not draft their guys. It's no shock Goldin and Dixon signed 2way deals right as the clock expired on the draft. Niang will never play a single NBA minute, complete waste of a pick. I woulda taken a domestic stash over that.

Proctor will for sure be in Kenny's 10 man rotation, at least early in the season; assuming TJ and Sam are gone.

The Nets have like 3 guys under contract as of today, they could add all 5 rookies, if they wanted to.

No one drafted in the second round is for sure going to be in the rotation. Bates and Travers shouldn't even be rostered next season. They're not NBA players. After pick 45, it's a complete crapshoot and that's true regardless of whether they're in Cleveland or overseas. The advantage of having them overseas is that someone else is paying to develop them, and worst case scenario you can traded their rights instead of a fake second. It's just a numbers game. The Spurs missed on plenty of their stash players.

I mean Proctor got a standard NBA contract, that is rare for the Cavs.

But when a guy mocked in the late 20s falls to 49, you sure as crap bet he's a rotation player. Especially being WAY cheaper than the 2 guys he's replacing in Merrill and Jerome.

You may want to ask yourself why he fell to 49. People were surprised Bates fell all the way to the Cavs and it seems pretty clear why that happened now. Proctor's ability to play in the NBA will determine whether he's in the rotation. We're not rebuilding. We're not going to force feed minutes to players who aren't rebuilding. I certainly hope Proctor can play at this level, but if he can't, he won't be in the rotation.

[JujitsuFlip]

No one drafted in the second round is for sure going to be in the rotation. Bates and Travers shouldn't even be rostered next season. They're not NBA players. After pick 45, it's a complete crapshoot and that's true regardless of whether they're in Cleveland or overseas. The advantage of having them overseas is that someone else is paying to develop them, and worst case scenario you can traded their rights instead of a fake second. It's just a numbers game. The Spurs missed on plenty of their stash players.

I mean Proctor got a standard NBA contract, that is rare for the Cavs.

But when a guy mocked in the late 20s falls to 49, you sure as crap bet he's a rotation player. Especially being WAY cheaper than the 2 guys he's replacing in Merrill and Jerome.

You may want to ask yourself why he fell to 49. People were surprised Bates fell all the way to the Cavs and it seems pretty clear why that happened now. Proctor's ability to play in the NBA will determine whether he's in the rotation. We're not rebuilding. We're not going to force feed minutes to players who aren't rebuilding. I certainly hope Proctor can play at this level, but if he can't, he won't be in the rotation.

Difference is Bates is a RFA and looks to be headed for his 3rd season on a two-way.

Proctor already has him bested in that regard, by being on the regular roster.

The Cavs roster is mostly set.

Garland (just had surgery)
Mitchell
Strus
Mobley
Allen

Starters are set.

Main backups are

Hunter
Wade
Okoro (unfortunately)

Fighting for the last 2 rotation spots

Proctor
Tyson
Porter Jr

Club option (Sunday)

Okeke

That is 12 guys, we always leave spot 15 open. Knicks somehow circumvented the CBA and left more than that open in 2024, so we may too.

There very well could be only 1 more standard contract slot open, for opening night. With a 2nd to follow in November (probably Tristan Kardashian on a vet min).

[jbk1234]

I mean Proctor got a standard NBA contract, that is rare for the Cavs.

But when a guy mocked in the late 20s falls to 49, you sure as crap bet he's a rotation player. Especially being WAY cheaper than the 2 guys he's replacing in Merrill and Jerome.

You may want to ask yourself why he fell to 49. People were surprised Bates fell all the way to the Cavs and it seems pretty clear why that happened now. Proctor's ability to play in the NBA will determine whether he's in the rotation. We're not rebuilding. We're not going to force feed minutes to players who aren't rebuilding. I certainly hope Proctor can play at this level, but if he can't, he won't be in the rotation.

Difference is Bates is a RFA and looks to be headed for his 3rd season on a two-way.

Proctor already has him bested in that regard, by being on the regular roster.

The Cavs roster is mostly set.

Garland (just had surgery)
Mitchell
Strus
Mobley
Allen

Starters are set.

Main backups are

Hunter
Wade
Okoro (unfortunately)

Fighting for the last 2 rotation spots

Proctor
Tyson
Porter Jr

Club option (Sunday)

Okeke

That is 12 guys, we always leave spot 15 open. Knicks somehow circumvented the CBA and left more than that open in 2024, so we may too.

There very well could be only 1 more standard contract slot open, for opening night. With a 2nd to follow in November (probably Tristan Kardashian on a vet min).

Proctor got an NBA deal because his agent told teams not to draft him if they weren't offering one (and second round picks have no obligation to report or participate if the team doesn't have them under contract).

I hope Strus moves to the bench and Hunter starts, but we'll see I guess. The Cavs need a backup center and he needs to get run. I suspect that the Cavs at least make an offer to Ty.

[JujitsuFlip]

You may want to ask yourself why he fell to 49. People were surprised Bates fell all the way to the Cavs and it seems pretty clear why that happened now. Proctor's ability to play in the NBA will determine whether he's in the rotation. We're not rebuilding. We're not going to force feed minutes to players who aren't rebuilding. I certainly hope Proctor can play at this level, but if he can't, he won't be in the rotation.

Difference is Bates is a RFA and looks to be headed for his 3rd season on a two-way.

Proctor already has him bested in that regard, by being on the regular roster.

The Cavs roster is mostly set.

Garland (just had surgery)
Mitchell
Strus
Mobley
Allen

Starters are set.

Main backups are

Hunter
Wade
Okoro (unfortunately)

Fighting for the last 2 rotation spots

Proctor
Tyson
Porter Jr

Club option (Sunday)

Okeke

That is 12 guys, we always leave spot 15 open. Knicks somehow circumvented the CBA and left more than that open in 2024, so we may too.

There very well could be only 1 more standard contract slot open, for opening night. With a 2nd to follow in November (probably Tristan Kardashian on a vet min).

Proctor got an NBA deal because his agent told teams not to draft him if they weren't offering one (and second round picks have no obligation to report or participate if the team doesn't have them under contract).

I hope Strus moves to the bench and Hunter starts, but we'll see I guess. The Cavs need a backup center and he needs to get run. I suspect that the Cavs at least make an offer to Ty.

Hunter did not look good as a starter, imo. He does not rebound well enough or pass well enough to justify being out there with the core 4.

Trust me, when we traded for him, i think that was the intention, just didn't pan out. He seemed much better suited coming off the bench.

Idk if the Cavs make an offer to Ty or not. If they bring Sam and Ty back, our roster is at 14 and we're done. If it's Ty at $14.1 million, i am all way out on that idea. Let Proctor figure it out, in that case; especially as a 2nd apron team.

[jbk1234]

Difference is Bates is a RFA and looks to be headed for his 3rd season on a two-way.

Proctor already has him bested in that regard, by being on the regular roster.

The Cavs roster is mostly set.

Garland (just had surgery)
Mitchell
Strus
Mobley
Allen

Starters are set.

Main backups are

Hunter
Wade
Okoro (unfortunately)

Fighting for the last 2 rotation spots

Proctor
Tyson
Porter Jr

Club option (Sunday)

Okeke

That is 12 guys, we always leave spot 15 open. Knicks somehow circumvented the CBA and left more than that open in 2024, so we may too.

There very well could be only 1 more standard contract slot open, for opening night. With a 2nd to follow in November (probably Tristan Kardashian on a vet min).

Proctor got an NBA deal because his agent told teams not to draft him if they weren't offering one (and second round picks have no obligation to report or participate if the team doesn't have them under contract).

I hope Strus moves to the bench and Hunter starts, but we'll see I guess. The Cavs need a backup center and he needs to get run. I suspect that the Cavs at least make an offer to Ty.

Hunter did not look good as a starter, imo. He does not rebound well enough or pass well enough to justify being out there with the core 4.

Trust me, when we traded for him, i think that was the intention, just didn't pan out. He seemed much better suited coming off the bench.

Idk if the Cavs make an offer to Ty or not. If they bring Sam and Ty back, our roster is at 14 and we're done. If it's Ty at $14.1 million, i am all way out on that idea. Let Proctor figure it out, in that case; especially as a 2nd apron team.

Victor Lahkin is still out there. I wouldn't be surprised if we trade Okoro before the season starts. If Ty comes back at $14M per, the Cavs will be motivated.

[JujitsuFlip]

https://bvmsports.com/2025/06/27/cavaliers-sign-baylors-norchad-omier-to-exhibit-10-deal/

Another camp deal. Double double all 5 seasons in college.

[JujitsuFlip]

Proctor got an NBA deal because his agent told teams not to draft him if they weren't offering one (and second round picks have no obligation to report or participate if the team doesn't have them under contract).

I hope Strus moves to the bench and Hunter starts, but we'll see I guess. The Cavs need a backup center and he needs to get run. I suspect that the Cavs at least make an offer to Ty.

Hunter did not look good as a starter, imo. He does not rebound well enough or pass well enough to justify being out there with the core 4.

Trust me, when we traded for him, i think that was the intention, just didn't pan out. He seemed much better suited coming off the bench.

Idk if the Cavs make an offer to Ty or not. If they bring Sam and Ty back, our roster is at 14 and we're done. If it's Ty at $14.1 million, i am all way out on that idea. Let Proctor figure it out, in that case; especially as a 2nd apron team.

Victor Lahkin is still out there. I wouldn't be surprised if we trade Okoro before the season starts. If Ty comes back at $14M per, the Cavs will be motivated.

Okoro for what though? Or just to dump his salary? If so, with what asset attached?

[toooskies]

https://bvmsports.com/2025/06/27/cavaliers-sign-baylors-norchad-omier-to-exhibit-10-deal/

Another camp deal. Double double all 5 seasons in college.

Big-time rebounder especially for his size. It’s the kind of skill that scouting can neglect. Turnover numbers aren’t great.

Yeah, 6’5.5” tall with a 7 foot wingspan. Might be better off trying out for the Browns.

[JujitsuFlip]

Great call jbk, we just traded Okoro for Lonzo Ball!

[JujitsuFlip]

I'd say Ty is for sure gone, probably already has a handshake deal in place with someone else.

[ijspeelman]

Fully in on the Ball trade. I know we've added another injury prone player to the roster, but if healthy he provides a lot more than Okoro imo

[JujitsuFlip]

Fully in on the Ball trade. I know we've added another injury prone player to the roster, but if healthy he provides a lot more than Okoro imo

I'm so glad to be rid of Okoro, he became Houdini in all 4 post seasons lol

[ijspeelman]

Breaking: The Chicago Bulls are trading Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Isaac Okoro, sources tell Shams Charania.

https://bsky.app/profile/espn.com/post/3lsoh3jeii22s

Can confirm Ball-Okoro swap is straight up with no draft picks.

https://bsky.app/profile/johnhollinger.bsky.social/post/3lsoknhsvd22u

[ijspeelman]

Fully in on the Ball trade. I know we've added another injury prone player to the roster, but if healthy he provides a lot more than Okoro imo

I'm so glad to be rid of Okoro, he became Houdini in all 4 post seasons lol

I'll always love me some Okoro, but teams made him shoot and he couldn't do it when it mattered. Will miss him in the locker room and post game interviews

[JonFromVA]

Fully in on the Ball trade. I know we've added another injury prone player to the roster, but if healthy he provides a lot more than Okoro imo

Ball is super risky because who knows how much of what he was when he and Caruso were tearing things up for the Bulls a couple years ago will return; but defense, 3pt shooting, and court vision doesn't require too much from his knees.

Isaac had his own problems staying healthy, but it was nothing compared to Ball, it's just when you take a little off Issac's game - there's not much left.