Post Mortem 2024-25

[JonFromVA]

And if our 6'1" PG could survive to the post season without getting injured, he'd be doing his own own share of killing other players.

I listened to Fedor proclaim that he didn't trust DG but that he DID trust Jalen Suggs in the playoffs based on what he's seen, and then I went and checked what exactly he's seen. It's all of 7 games against the Cavs last season when he shot all of 29% on his 3pters.

[JujitsuFlip]

This isn't a "must hit" area of the draft.

It has to be for a maxed out, 2nd apron team...

This team is all in, we don't have time for projects.

They need 2 NBA ready picks in this draft. By the age of the guys they're bringing in for workouts, they agree.

[toooskies]

This isn't a "must hit" area of the draft.

It has to be for a maxed out, 2nd apron team...

This team is all in, we don't have time for projects.

They need 2 NBA ready picks in this draft. By the age of the guys they're bringing in for workouts, they agree.

Must-hit or what? We don’t even have rotation space for our late first rounder from last year.

If a guy is expected to be NBA-ready they aren’t lasting until late 2nd round. Sometimes a guy will surprise you but even then we are talking rare and often a second stop.

Yes, we will be picking older guys. Part of that is because NIL has kept dozens of players from coming out early. Another part is that a lot of these guys got 5 or 6 seasons of college time due to COVID, often allowing them to be seen in more contexts and work out different issues with more varied coaching. Juco guys got time to transfer twice and translate skills up multiple levels.

[jbk1234]

And if our 6'1" PG could survive to the post season without getting injured, he'd be doing his own own share of killing other players.

I listened to Fedor proclaim that he didn't trust DG but that he DID trust Jalen Suggs in the playoffs based on what he's seen, and then I went and checked what exactly he's seen. It's all of 7 games against the Cavs last season when he shot all of 29% on his 3pters.

Fedor has always been down on Garland and I still have the question of whether he's projecting or speaking on behalf of the Cavs. Given their respective play styles, I don't know how anyone could conclude that Suggs is likely to stay healthy for the majority of his career. He'll either stop fighting through screens in the regular season or he'll be on the IR.

[toooskies]

And if our 6'1" PG could survive to the post season without getting injured, he'd be doing his own own share of killing other players.

I listened to Fedor proclaim that he didn't trust DG but that he DID trust Jalen Suggs in the playoffs based on what he's seen, and then I went and checked what exactly he's seen. It's all of 7 games against the Cavs last season when he shot all of 29% on his 3pters.

Fedor has always been down on Garland and I still have the question of whether he's projecting or speaking on behalf of the Cavs. Given their respective play styles, I don't know how anyone could conclude that Suggs is likely to stay healthy for the majority of his career. He'll either stop fighting through screens in the regular season or he'll be on the IR.

Garland and Suggs both have injury questions. If both are injury-prone you might want to take the one who has the more palatable contract, all else being equal. (You could argue Suggs is MORE injury-prone, so everything's not equal. Or you don't get enough back defensively to swallow the offensive dip. Or...)

Ultimately Fedor sees Garland as a one-way player in the playoffs (based on him getting targeted by other offenses) and sees Suggs as a two-way player after Suggs showed how ineffective injured-Darius was. DG probably isn't a match for the switch-everything defense that Atkinson likes to run while Suggs probably is. There's plenty of things you can say about what Garland's weaknesses are perceived to be but it's all covered by how injured he's been the past two years.

[jbk1234]

And if our 6'1" PG could survive to the post season without getting injured, he'd be doing his own own share of killing other players.

I listened to Fedor proclaim that he didn't trust DG but that he DID trust Jalen Suggs in the playoffs based on what he's seen, and then I went and checked what exactly he's seen. It's all of 7 games against the Cavs last season when he shot all of 29% on his 3pters.

Fedor has always been down on Garland and I still have the question of whether he's projecting or speaking on behalf of the Cavs. Given their respective play styles, I don't know how anyone could conclude that Suggs is likely to stay healthy for the majority of his career. He'll either stop fighting through screens in the regular season or he'll be on the IR.

Garland and Suggs both have injury questions. If both are injury-prone you might want to take the one who has the more palatable contract, all else being equal. (You could argue Suggs is MORE injury-prone, so everything's not equal. Or you don't get enough back defensively to swallow the offensive dip. Or...)

Ultimately Fedor sees Garland as a one-way player in the playoffs (based on him getting targeted by other offenses) and sees Suggs as a two-way player after Suggs showed how ineffective injured-Darius was. DG probably isn't a match for the switch-everything defense that Atkinson likes to run while Suggs probably is. There's plenty of things you can say about what Garland's weaknesses are perceived to be but it's all covered by how injured he's been the past two years.

As far as Garland getting targeted, I've seen opposing teams actually take themselves out of their own offenses by targeting him and lose. I've seen physical offensive players struggle to not foul him. As far as Fedor, I don't remember any handwringing about Kyrie's defense. He was Kyrie's biggest fan.

Our record against the Pacers was 0-2 against the Pacers without Garland and 1-2 with him despite Garland being hobbled. I have a difficult time concluding Garland was the problem.

I've just seen no evidence that Mitchell alone can win a second round series and our record when he tries isn't great. It's not clear that Mitchell and an improved Mobley can. You need that third scoring option and Suggs hasn't been able to be that for the Magic.

[toooskies]

Fedor has always been down on Garland and I still have the question of whether he's projecting or speaking on behalf of the Cavs. Given their respective play styles, I don't know how anyone could conclude that Suggs is likely to stay healthy for the majority of his career. He'll either stop fighting through screens in the regular season or he'll be on the IR.

Garland and Suggs both have injury questions. If both are injury-prone you might want to take the one who has the more palatable contract, all else being equal. (You could argue Suggs is MORE injury-prone, so everything's not equal. Or you don't get enough back defensively to swallow the offensive dip. Or...)

Ultimately Fedor sees Garland as a one-way player in the playoffs (based on him getting targeted by other offenses) and sees Suggs as a two-way player after Suggs showed how ineffective injured-Darius was. DG probably isn't a match for the switch-everything defense that Atkinson likes to run while Suggs probably is. There's plenty of things you can say about what Garland's weaknesses are perceived to be but it's all covered by how injured he's been the past two years.

As far as Garland getting targeted, I've seen opposing teams actually take themselves out of their own offenses by targeting him and lose. I've seen physical offensive players struggle to not foul him.

Our record against the Pacers was 0-2 against the Pacers without Garland and 1-2 with him despite Garland being hobbled. I have a difficult time concluding Garland was the problem.

I've just seen no evidence that Mitchell alone can win a second round series and our record when he tries isn't great. It's not clear that Mitchell and an improved Mobley can. You need that third scoring option and Suggs hasn't been able to be that for the Magic.

Arguably Jerome and Hunter should be able to take third option scoring responsibilities, but Jerome got game-planned and his shot left him, while Hunter's dislocated thumb took him out of his game. And if we trade a $40m player, we're going to get some amount of scoring back-- Suggs isn't a zero in that capacity like some have made him out to be.

[jbk1234]

Garland and Suggs both have injury questions. If both are injury-prone you might want to take the one who has the more palatable contract, all else being equal. (You could argue Suggs is MORE injury-prone, so everything's not equal. Or you don't get enough back defensively to swallow the offensive dip. Or...)

Ultimately Fedor sees Garland as a one-way player in the playoffs (based on him getting targeted by other offenses) and sees Suggs as a two-way player after Suggs showed how ineffective injured-Darius was. DG probably isn't a match for the switch-everything defense that Atkinson likes to run while Suggs probably is. There's plenty of things you can say about what Garland's weaknesses are perceived to be but it's all covered by how injured he's been the past two years.

As far as Garland getting targeted, I've seen opposing teams actually take themselves out of their own offenses by targeting him and lose. I've seen physical offensive players struggle to not foul him.

Our record against the Pacers was 0-2 against the Pacers without Garland and 1-2 with him despite Garland being hobbled. I have a difficult time concluding Garland was the problem.

I've just seen no evidence that Mitchell alone can win a second round series and our record when he tries isn't great. It's not clear that Mitchell and an improved Mobley can. You need that third scoring option and Suggs hasn't been able to be that for the Magic.

Arguably Jerome and Hunter should be able to take third option scoring responsibilities, but Jerome got game-planned and his shot left him, while Hunter's dislocated thumb took him out of his game. And if we trade a $40m player, we're going to get some amount of scoring back-- Suggs isn't a zero in that capacity like some have made him out to be.

He is if he's not healthy.

[mcfly1204]

And if our 6'1" PG could survive to the post season without getting injured, he'd be doing his own own share of killing other players.

I listened to Fedor proclaim that he didn't trust DG but that he DID trust Jalen Suggs in the playoffs based on what he's seen, and then I went and checked what exactly he's seen. It's all of 7 games against the Cavs last season when he shot all of 29% on his 3pters.

Fedor has always been down on Garland and I still have the question of whether he's projecting or speaking on behalf of the Cavs. Given their respective play styles, I don't know how anyone could conclude that Suggs is likely to stay healthy for the majority of his career. He'll either stop fighting through screens in the regular season or he'll be on the IR.

Garland and Suggs both have injury questions. If both are injury-prone you might want to take the one who has the more palatable contract, all else being equal. (You could argue Suggs is MORE injury-prone, so everything's not equal. Or you don't get enough back defensively to swallow the offensive dip. Or...)

Ultimately Fedor sees Garland as a one-way player in the playoffs (based on him getting targeted by other offenses) and sees Suggs as a two-way player after Suggs showed how ineffective injured-Darius was. DG probably isn't a match for the switch-everything defense that Atkinson likes to run while Suggs probably is. There's plenty of things you can say about what Garland's weaknesses are perceived to be but it's all covered by how injured he's been the past two years.

My biggest issue, beyond health, is that Garland is a PG, and Suggs is a SG who can't really shoot. It would be interesting to pair to the two together, but I have zero interest in taking a step back and losing Garland's offense.

[jbk1234]

Fedor has always been down on Garland and I still have the question of whether he's projecting or speaking on behalf of the Cavs. Given their respective play styles, I don't know how anyone could conclude that Suggs is likely to stay healthy for the majority of his career. He'll either stop fighting through screens in the regular season or he'll be on the IR.

Garland and Suggs both have injury questions. If both are injury-prone you might want to take the one who has the more palatable contract, all else being equal. (You could argue Suggs is MORE injury-prone, so everything's not equal. Or you don't get enough back defensively to swallow the offensive dip. Or...)

Ultimately Fedor sees Garland as a one-way player in the playoffs (based on him getting targeted by other offenses) and sees Suggs as a two-way player after Suggs showed how ineffective injured-Darius was. DG probably isn't a match for the switch-everything defense that Atkinson likes to run while Suggs probably is. There's plenty of things you can say about what Garland's weaknesses are perceived to be but it's all covered by how injured he's been the past two years.

My biggest issue, beyond health, is that Garland is a PG, and Suggs is a SG who can't really shoot. It would be interesting to pair to the two together, but I have zero interest in taking a step back and losing Garland's offense.

I'm also half terrified of sending Garland to the Magic.

[JujitsuFlip]

Garland and Suggs both have injury questions. If both are injury-prone you might want to take the one who has the more palatable contract, all else being equal. (You could argue Suggs is MORE injury-prone, so everything's not equal. Or you don't get enough back defensively to swallow the offensive dip. Or...)

Ultimately Fedor sees Garland as a one-way player in the playoffs (based on him getting targeted by other offenses) and sees Suggs as a two-way player after Suggs showed how ineffective injured-Darius was. DG probably isn't a match for the switch-everything defense that Atkinson likes to run while Suggs probably is. There's plenty of things you can say about what Garland's weaknesses are perceived to be but it's all covered by how injured he's been the past two years.

My biggest issue, beyond health, is that Garland is a PG, and Suggs is a SG who can't really shoot. It would be interesting to pair to the two together, but I have zero interest in taking a step back and losing Garland's offense.

I'm also half terrified of sending Garland to the Magic.

As long as Mosley is still their head coach, you literally have nothing to worry about.

Completely ignoring the offensive side of the ball in this era is not possible. He can have all the top 3 defenses he wants.

[JujitsuFlip]

Kid is tough as nails, hope he makes a full recovery.

[jbk1234]

I have the chances of a Garland trade as exceedingly small now that the receiving team has to waive the physical.

[JujitsuFlip]

https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2025/06/cavs-lose-another-assistant-this-time-to-the-college-ranks.html?outputType=amp

Cavs lose their 2nd assistant coach. Bryan Tibaldi is headed to the NCAA, joining Providence's coaching staff.

[JujitsuFlip]

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/breaking-news/article/phoenix-suns-hire-jordan-ott-as-head-coach-reports-164533301.html

Cavs lose Ott, kudos to him.

https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2025/6/11/24447870/phoenix-suns-hire-demarre-carroll-jordan-ott-coaching-staff-nba-draft-free-agency

Ott poached Carroll for his staff.

[JujitsuFlip]

https://www.si.com/nba/cavaliers/news/cleveland-cavaliers-plan-ty-jerome-free-agency-revealed

Getting rid of Wade and/or Okoro to keep TJ. Hmm, idk.

I think him being an UFA complicates things. You'd need to know for sure he'd re-sign before just salary dumping guys, obviously.

[JonFromVA]

https://www.si.com/nba/cavaliers/news/cleveland-cavaliers-plan-ty-jerome-free-agency-revealed

Getting rid of Wade and/or Okoro to keep TJ. Hmm, idk.

I think him being an UFA complicates things. You'd need to know for sure he'd re-sign before just salary dumping guys, obviously.

The premise of the article is BS, it's been well documented already that we can make Jerome a competitive offer with Early Bird rights, we don't need to dump salary to use the MLE.

Other teams might just cut salary to keep the tax more under control and the Cavs might too, but they're more likely to recognize their only flexibility under the second apron is going to be trading salary for salary. So, a straight up dump has little appeal.

[JujitsuFlip]

https://www.si.com/nba/cavaliers/news/cavaliers-eye-skilled-frontcourt-depth-pre-draft-workout

Anyone know anything about Eric Dixon?

[toooskies]

https://www.si.com/nba/cavaliers/news/cavaliers-eye-skilled-frontcourt-depth-pre-draft-workout

Anyone know anything about Eric Dixon?

Led the NCAA in scoring. 5th year senior, already 24. Heavy. Can shoot 3s. Defense looks pretty lackluster.

[JujitsuFlip]

https://www.si.com/nba/cavaliers/news/cavaliers-eye-skilled-frontcourt-depth-pre-draft-workout

Anyone know anything about Eric Dixon?

Led the NCAA in scoring. 5th year senior, already 24. Heavy. Can shoot 3s. Defense looks pretty lackluster.

Will he be around late 2nd round though or nah?