The NBA buyout phase is in play as teams who need to finalize their roster by the February 20th deadline scour the market for last-minute needs. In the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers are one team whose roster could be looking for a center. Cleveland has two remaining spots to fill as they are down to 13 active players following the De’Andre Hunter trade last week with the Atlanta Hawks. Who is available, and what do the Cavs need most to complement an already dominant team further?
Cavaliers Buyout Options Should Be Focused On Center Depth
Cleveland Cavaliers Should Look At A Trio of Centers To Fill Out Roster Via Buyout Market
At first glance at the standings, the Cavaliers give the impression that they’re set, roster-wise. Trading for Hunter was huge, but looking deeper into their bench, Cleveland does have an area to address: the frontcourt. Behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, the Cavs frontcourt consists of Tristan Thompson and Dean Wade. Suffice it to say, they’re thin. Thompson plays limited minutes (8.0) this season in a significantly reduced role. Wade averages 22 minutes a night. However, he is currently out due to a right knee injury and hasn’t played since January 24th.
Given their present circumstances, Cleveland would be wise to address the paint with at least one of two spots open. The Cavs are expected to go on a deep playoff run and knock on wood, just in case Mobley or Allen were to get injured; having a bolstered frontcourt could potentially save the Cavs. In that light, there are a few big men who could slide into one of Cleveland’s roster spots and add value to the frontcourt.
JaVale McGee
Former Los Angeles Lakers champion JaVale McGee is currently out of the NBA, playing basketball for Vaqueros de Bayamón of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional in Puerto Rico. McGee last played for the Sacramento Kings in 2023-24 and has already played for the Cavs in the 2020-21 season. Despite playing in Puerto Rico, a return to the NBA is not out of the question. Cleveland could look to him and their familiarity with McGee as a plus and add him to the roster for the remaining stretch of the season. McGee certainly brings rim protection and size under the basket, which the Cavs are thin on coming from the bench.
Mo Bamba
Mo Bamba went to the Jazz from the Clippers last week after playing in 28 games for Los Angeles. He averaged 4.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game. Like McGee, Bamba is a tall presence at the basket. His rim protection and lob threat in the offensive zone are his strongest assets. While his playing time would be limited, he’s a solid depth threat off the bench should the Cavs need one in the playoffs. Bamba was waived by the Jazz, and should have a few suitors, the Lakers being one of them.
Kelly Olynyk
If the New Orleans Pelicans buy Kelly Olynyk out, the well-traveled Canadian is another solid option that Cleveland could pick up. Given the trajectory the Pelicans season is on, there should be no reason why they would keep Olynyk, as it doesn’t benefit them in any way. Olynyk’s upside doesn’t just come from his defense, but he’s making a career-high 44.2% of his three-point attempts this season. He can stretch the floor, which could aid in the type of playing style the Cavaliers play. Olynyk is also shooting 50% from the field. He’s not the potential lob threat or shot blocker Bamba and McGee are, but he is more versatile and carries a greater offensive upside.
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