The Cleveland Cavaliers are sitting pretty atop the Eastern Conference and are regaining a key rotation piece in Max Strus Friday.
Still, as the franchise searches for its first NBA Finals appearance without LeBron James, there is some roster tweaking that could be had to maximize this year’s opportunity.
Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell have been excellent this season but they are also the smallest backcourt in the conference. It makes wing defense that much more of a priority, which is where the team could be found wanting against the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum or Paolo Banchero (when healthy).
In the latest Stein Line Substack, Marc Stein and Jake Fischer revealed that team scouts expect the Cavs to be on the hunt for defensive wing help as the season progresses. With that in mind, here are three players who could be very useful for Cleveland the rest of the way.
Matisse Thybulle
Matisse Thybulle seems like a forgotten name in Portland. After suffering an ankle injury while recovering from a knee procedure to address some swelling, he is yet to play this season.
That certainly brings a degree of risk for the Cavaliers, but that also could mean a two-time All-Defensive team member is available at a relatively cheaper price. Thybulle, assuming a full recovery, would instantly become the Cavs’ best perimeter defender and the team’s offense can probably absorb his shortcomings on that end of the floor.
Currently earning $11 million with a player option for next season, a rebuilding Blazers team may be inclined to move him for an insignificant enough price that the Cavs may as well take the chance.
Dorian Finney-Smith
This may well come down to whether the Brooklyn Nets are willing to move off their expectations of acquiring at least a first-round pick for Dorian Finney-Smith. Cleveland doesn’t have a first-round pick to offer until 2030.
Able to defend the wing and man the occasional small-ball five, Finney-Smith can also knock down the three and is a highly coveted player this trade deadline. That makes it all the more unlikely the Nets will need to amend their price, but Cleveland will never know if it doesn’t ask.
Dillon Brooks
The Houston Rockets are thriving defensively but could certainly use some help on the offensive side of the ball. With Max Strus set to return from injury for Cleveland, Caris LeVert’s offensive exploits may be deemed surplus.
Brooks would bring a level of nasty to the Cavs while being serviceable offensively. He’s the type of defender who can be thrown at Boston, New York and Orlando’s top wings, and wouldn’t back down from the Antetokounmpo or Paul George either.
