The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired Donovan Mitchell in a trade, sources tell ESPN.

[ISO]

I don’t really see it

RJ’s entering year 4 and what’s he above average at? Maybe defense? He’s either average or below average as a shooter, finisher, passer, ball handler and rebounder

None of the players involved are moving the needle.

I agree that on paper the Knicks picks seem more likely to return higher value

His defense is average to below average. He’s great at getting to the rim and he’s good at rebounding. He’s a solid passer and is developing nicely there. He’s a below average shooter, finisher, ball handler, and he also has limited dexterity, average strong solid athlete not a good first step and plays below the rim mostly. Good transition player. The thing about RJ he has flashes in all those areas he lacks but it’s not consistent.

He’s not better than Markannen or Sexton. It’s just perception he’s younger and is showcased as a future star in New York and has been healthy, says all the right things, works hard, looks the part, top 3 pick, and is a blue chip prospect since high school with big connections (Montverde, Duke, Team Canada, Steve Nash god son).

 

[Thavoiceofthevoiceless]

Mitchell will be the leading scorer on the Cavs.

If that’s their plan long term (it’s not), then that team is doomed for failure.

 

[ISO]

If that’s their plan long term (it’s not), then that team is doomed for failure.

Why would you want Garland and Mobley to be the number one or number two option?

Neither is on Mitchell’s level as a scorer.

 

[Regular_P]

I don’t really see it

RJ’s entering year 4 and what’s he above average at? Maybe defense? He’s either average or below average as a shooter, finisher, passer, ball handler and rebounder

None of the players involved are moving the needle.

I agree that on paper the Knicks picks seem more likely to return higher value

I'm not totally disagreeing with you, but I think there's still a chance with Barrett, however slight that might be.

With Sexton, he's an undersized chucker whose team was fine after he got injured. Mark is alright but he doesn't really fit anywhere and he always gets hurt.

To me, the bigger thing is the picks. I'd rather have two unprotected Knicks picks than eight Cavs picks.

 

[Thavoiceofthevoiceless]

Why would you want Garland and Mobley to be the number one or number two option?

Neither is on Mitchell’s level as a scorer.

Mobley has the higher ceiling of any player on that roster including Mitchell if his offense can catch up to his defense. He's Rudy Gobert on a defense with a higher offensive potential. As good as Mitchell is on offense, you ain't winning with him as your number one option. Ask Cleveland and even they'd tell you that Mobley has more potential, which is why they should be doing everything they can this season to his accelerate his offensive game.

 

[SchoolboyC]

I'm not totally disagreeing with you, but I think there's still a chance with Barrett, however slight that might be.

With Sexton, he's an undersized chucker whose team was fine after he got injured. Mark is alright but he doesn't really fit anywhere and he always gets hurt.

To me, the bigger thing is the picks. I'd rather have two unprotected Knicks picks than eight Cavs picks.

I just don’t see with RJ.

Sexton is a 6th man on a good team, he can score efficiently but doesn’t play team ball on either end. Markkanen is a role player and I don’t really see much development from here. Like I said I think both will be flipped. The question will be if Ochai can become anything

 

[Jazzy B.]

What type of third option scores 35 points per game in playoff rounds

Because Utah made him their primary scoring option

That doesn't discount that he was actually a third option who was just in elevated role at Utah.

No different to the likes of PG, K-Love, Harden, KAT etc when they were made to be the #1's at their teams.

You don't wins chips with players like them as your #1 or even your #2.

 

[ISO]

Because Utah made him their primary scoring option

That doesn't discount that he was actually a third option who was just in elevated role at Utah.

No different to the likes of PG, K-Love, Harden, KAT etc when they were made to be the #1's at their teams.

You don't wins chips with players like them as your #1 or even your #2.

Did you just discredit 35/5/5 on elite defenses in the playoffs

Do you know how many people have done that

When have PG, K Love, Harden, KAT scored at that clip in the playoffs

 

[lib123]

You just didn’t watch Mobley last season if you don’t think that he’s a good perimeter defender already if needed.

Oh really? Where's the footage of Mobley effectively guarding Tatum, KD, DeRozan, etc? Mobley is trending towards being a great interior defender, not perimeter defender.

 

[Brozay]

What value do those two have? Anybody could have offer sheeted Sexton. Dude signed for 4/$72 million; that's an easy deal to beat and nobody bothered.

Markkanen, please. Even the original true believer @Brozay is off that ship.

we already got a protected 1st for Lauri theres a chance Utah can get something similar I’d imagine after next season if they wanted

 

[Thavoiceofthevoiceless]

Oh really? Where's the footage of Mobley effectively guarding Tatum, KD, DeRozan, etc? Mobley is trending towards being a great interior defender, not perimeter defender.

You can look up the footage and see for yourself. There’s a reason why his defense was hyped all season as it’s his calling card until his offense develops. Ask other posters and they’ll tell you the same thing.

 

[lib123]

You can look up the footage and see for yourself. There’s a reason why his defense was hyped all season as it’s his calling card until his offense develops. Ask other posters and they’ll tell you the same thing.

Mobley is not an elite perimeter defender. He's very good for his size, but he's not elite on the perimeter. There is no footage.

 

[staticshock]

Ding dong

 

[JP_614]

Mobley is not an elite perimeter defender. He's very good for his size, but he's not elite on the perimeter. There is no footage.

He’s not Elite just yet. He also doesn’t shy away from taking those matchup’s he can guard on the perimeter. Weve seen teams run pick and roll to abuse certain matchups on bad defenders or big men switching out. He moves his feet well enough and contest shots. I’m not saying he can guard those guys the whole game but in situations. When switched out on those guys he can hold his own.

 

[lib123]

He’s not Elite just yet. He also doesn’t shy away from taking those matchup’s he can guard on the perimeter. Weve seen teams run pick and roll to abuse certain matchups on bad defenders or big men switching out. He moves his feet well enough and contest shots. I’m not saying he can guard those guys the whole game but in situations. When switched out on those guys he can hold his own.

Yeah I agree. But the Cavs still need several wings who are above average perimeter defenders. That’s the only way to go far with such small guards. The Hawks 2021 playoff run was the blueprint. Surround small guards with solid wing defenders.