Division rival steals ideal center veteran free agent from Cleveland Cavaliers
After tackling the two biggest needs of the offseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers have stayed stagnant while conference rivals buy into their futures.
Shortly after their playoff elimination, the Cavaliers fired head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and began a month-long coaching search. Cleveland eventually hired Kenny Atkinson to assume the role of the 24th Cavs head coach. Shortly after bringing Atkinson to the team, superstar cornerstone Donovan Mitchell signed a long-awaited max extension to stick around for the long term. Undoubtedly, Cleveland’s greatest need for improvement was finding head coach to resolve the team’s redundant and predictable offensive woes.
By tackling the biggest flaw, the Cavs’ offseason can already be considered a success, but it is far from a major step forward. As the Cavaliers patiently navigate free agency and trade negotiations, conference rivals have wasted no time to add more talent as teams chase the Boston Celtics. While other teams spend whatever is available to have a greater chance at winning, Cleveland has shown a reluctance to creep toward the first luxury tax apron.
Bringing a great coaching staff to the Cavs will not fix everything, though. Cleveland still has clear areas that need to be addressed. The offseason has been a win in the most important areas, but complacency will not win a championship.