Cavs Continue to Build on Depth with New Free Agent Signing

Trying to further strengthen their chances of winning the NBA title, the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to make additions to try to get past their disappointment of last year’s elimination by the Indiana Pacers in five games. One of the biggest reasons they lost was injuries, including key big and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Evan Mobley, who played through the majority of the series with a sprained ankle, even missing game two. However, the Cavs may be attempting to solve this issue by signing free agent center Thomas Bryant.

With the departures of Ty Jerome and Isaac Okoro, and the injury to Max Strus, the Cavs have decided to focus their offseason on reshuffling the depth of their roster around their core four. Trading for guard Lonzo Ball and signing veteran big man Larry Nance Jr. were the first of their moves, and now the team looks toward Bryant, a high-motor center capable of knocking down the three-ball.

According to the report by Shams Charania, Bryant signed a one-year deal to join the Cavaliers. Bryant is coming off a season with the Indiana Pacers, where he served as a backup, providing depth to their frontcourt and reaching the NBA Finals, beating the Cavs in the second round in the process.

Bryant will provide much-needed rest to not only starting center Jarrett Allen but also Mobley. Listed as a power forward, the 24-year-old actually played around half of his minutes at center, providing cover at that position for the team whenever Allen was on the bench. With the signing of Bryant, this will allow Mobley to play fewer minutes away from the five, hopefully keeping him healthier in the long term.

In terms of his fit with the system, Bryant will prove to be a good spark to the relentless Cavs offense that ranked top of the league last season. With his threat from deep, he will be a stretch five option on a team that enjoys shooting the three ball. That will, in turn, create more space in the paint for other players to shine. There are questions over Bryant’s defensive ability, but playing next to solid defenders such as Mobley and Ball will most likely rectify that problem.

The Cavs will start the season without both Strus and star guard Darius Garland. However, they will still be a team that could go as far as 12 men deep. De’Andre Hunter is now expected to step up to a starting role this season, sharpshooting wings Sam Merrill and Dean Wade will hope to continue their strong numbers this year, and youngsters Jaylon Tyson and Craig Porter Jr. are expected to have increased roles in the rotation. President Koby Altman and reigning Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson will continue to invest in their core four despite the defeat to the Pacers and hopefully run it back with success to come in the summer.

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