The Cavaliers are one of the several teams that have been linked to Ben Simmons. However, one NBA scout doesn’t quite think he would help make them a better team offensively.
“Obviously, he’s a really good player, mostly defensively,” he said (h/t Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report). “I’m not sure he’s a leader, seems to be a quiet personality that does his own thing. I would hesitate to give up a lot.”
“He’d make [the Cavs] better, but you’ll still need scoring, shooting and leadership,” he added. “Best case, he has a huge chip on his shoulder and comes in to prove a point and show improvement in all areas. Worst case, he’s the same player in a smaller media market and can just collect paychecks without all the pressure to win.”
Any package would likely have to include Collin Sexton, Isaac Okoro and multiple first-round draft picks, but Kevin Love may also have to be part of a deal to make salaries match, which could give the Sixers some pause. However, there is always a possibility of making it a multi-team deal.
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- Ricky Rubio was acquired over the offseason from the Timberwolves, as he’ll be brought in to be a veteran presence behind Sexton and Darius Garland. Last season, Rubio served as a great mentor to 2020 No.1 overall pick Anthony Edwards. “Rubio was fantastic for Ant,” a Timberwolves coach told Bleacher Report (same article). “Ant was asked about his defense one time and his answer was, ‘Yeah, I know I’ve still got some work to do on my defense but Ricky’s going to teach me. Ricky will teach me and then I’ll be fine.'”
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Lauri Markkanen was brought in over the offseason to help stretch the floor for the Cavs at the power forward position. However, coach J.B. Bickerstaff sees more in the 24-year-old. “I think what we’re going to see, and he’ll be able to show, is that he’s more than just a spot shooter,” Bickerstaff said (h/t Chris Fedor of cleveland.com) “He can catch and shoot off the move, but he also has an offensive game where you can give him the ball in isolation situations, and he can go get you a bucket there too.” Bickerstaff also believes Markkanen’s presence will open things up for everybody.
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Markkanen echoed many of the same sentiments shared by his coach, as he is “motivated” heading into his first year with the Cavs. “We can create our best offense in transition,” Markkanen said. “Everyone needs to be sacrificing and be willing to actually run the floor. I think it’s the hardest thing to guard in the NBA. We have (a) good group of guys that are willing to do that. It’s going to create open looks, not just for me but everybody else as well.”
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Love’s role with the Cavs is uncertain at this moment, as an NBA scout questions if he’s even worth keeping around at this point. “I don’t know if [Love] has anything left or not,” the scout said (h/t Bleacher Report). “He hasn’t played much in a long time. Ideally, he’s another vet leader, but I’m not sure that’s his personality. He’s valuable if he can still play and provide leadership and guidance to young guys. Not everyone is built that way, though. If he can’t play and doesn’t work hard or say much in the locker room, it’s probably better not to have him around.”
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