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The Cleveland Cavaliers will approach their 2021 NBA free agency with the hope of rebuilding around Collin Sexton and Darius Garland. However, it is difficult to predict what direction the Cavs will go in to bolster their lineup ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season.
Cap space is a major concern for the Cavs, which is why it is unlikely that we will see a high-profile player join the team. Regardless, they will look to better their 22-50 run in the 2020-21 season.
It would not be strange to see several elite players leave in the summer as the Cleveland Cavaliers embark on a rebuild. They have missed the playoffs for four consecutive years but will strive to feature in the 2022 NBA playoffs.
It will be a busy offseason for the Cleveland Cavaliers as they have big decisions to make. Kevin Love's departure will perhaps be the franchise's biggest challenge as they might have a hard time finding a team willing to take up his huge salary. Ridding themselves off his bad contract would pass as a win for the Cavs.
With the 2021 NBA offseason closer than ever, here are three bold predictions for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
#1 The Cleveland Cavaliers will not trade their No. 3 pick
With a few hours to go until the 2021 NBA draft (at the time of writing), interest in the Cleveland Cavaliers' No. 3 pick is growing as teams are interested in landing the prospect who is projected to be the 3rd overall pick. Evan Mobley is a talented big man who played for the USC Trojans and played a significant role in them reaching the NCAA tournament's Elite Eight.
Trade rumors have put the OKC Thunder as the likeliest candidate to pitch the Cleveland Cavaliers for their No. 3 pick. However, the Cavs also seem interested in selecting Mobley.
Of course, things could be different if the Thunder put together an enticing package that could include some of the numerous draft picks they've accumulated. They currently hold the No. 6 pick, which is good, but Mobley might not stay on the board until then.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will have a solid center in Jarrett Allen if they opt to retain him in free agency. However, with Mobley being compared to Chris Bosh and Anthony Davis by analysts, it will be difficult to see them pass up on him.
#2 Collin Sexton will be traded
A trade involving Collin Sexton will be a hard pill to swallow for Cleveland Cavaliers fans. However, trade rumors suggest that the guard would be available for trade.
The Cleveland Cavaliers were expected to build a team around their two best youngsters - Sexton and Garland, both of whom were considered untouchable. But things have changed in Cleveland, and the former might be traded in the offseason.
Sexton has been the spark for the Cleveland Cavaliers on offense, which is why it is surprising that they are willing to ship him off. He has averaged 20+ points per game for two consecutive seasons despite playing only three years in the NBA.
Sexton's ball-handling skills and ability to score will make him a target for top teams this offseason. However, moving him will be a poor decision from the Cleveland Cavaliers front office as he has been their most explosive player since LeBron James' departure.
#3 The Cleveland Cavaliers will pursue TJ McConnell
As things stand, the Cleveland Cavaliers cannot afford to make any flashy acquisitions because of their current financial position. Even after they get out of Love's bad contract, re-signing Allen will be an expensive venture.
To that effect, the Cleveland Cavaliers will look to make a less expensive but effective signing this offseason. The player that perfectly fits into this category is TJ McConnell.
With Sexton's departure, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be short-handed on the backcourt. Although the Cavs would still be expected to make more signings to build backcourt depth, McConnell would be a great acquisition.
Salary-wise, McConnell would not be much of a burden for the Cleveland Cavaliers as he earned $3.5 million in his final season with the Indiana Pacers. The value he brings for that figure is worth it, which is why the Cavs will need to move quickly to avoid losing him to other teams.
McConnell would be a great addition both on offense and defense. With a player like Jarrett Allen on the roster, he will be a beneficiary of the veteran's impeccable court vision. Aside from making dimes, he is an effective scorer, creating more scoring options for the Cleveland Cavaliers on offense.
