Cavs have options to explore before considering bigger changes

The Cavs don’t need to tear everything apart after 11 games. They do need to stop playing as if keeping the roster together guarantees that things will improve.

At 5-6, the concerns extend beyond a few missed shots or an inconvenient schedule. The rebounding remains unreliable. The defense loses track of shooters. The established players haven’t consistently made the game easier for one another.

Fran Leiva of Fadeaway World examined those problems, pointing to James Harden’s declining production, uneven perimeter shooting and rotation combinations that deserve another look.

His most useful suggestion involves something Kenny Atkinson can address without waiting for a trade. Try different combinations, including more opportunities for Donovan Mitchell to run the offense.

That warrants consideration. It doesn’t require declaring Harden finished or handing his job to someone else.

Leiva notes that Harden is averaging 15.3 points and 5.7 assists while shooting 36.4% from the field. Mitchell has remained efficient overall, but his 37 points against the Knicks weren’t enough Saturday. His 11 against the Hornets weren’t nearly enough Monday.

The Cavs need a more dependable offense than hoping Mitchell can rescue them.

They also need to finish defensive possessions. As we covered after the Charlotte loss, allowing 17 offensive rebounds to that depleted opponent was particularly difficult to excuse. Jarrett Allen’s return didn’t solve it. Neither will simply reminding everyone that rebounding is important.

There are options worth exploring. Rookie Meleek Thomas has supplied shooting and led the Cavs with 18 points Monday. Getting Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson healthy would give Atkinson more choices.

The larger questions about the roster’s fit aren’t going away. But before making sweeping personnel judgments, the Cavs should find out whether they can get more from what they already have.

That means adjustments from Atkinson and better execution from his players. Wednesday’s visit to the Knicks offers another opportunity. The Cavs have already spent too many of those explaining what went wrong.

More Cavs:

• Talkin’ Cavs: James Harden, Peyton Watson, Kenny Atkinson, rebounding …
• Cavs’ struggles go beyond coaching, NBA analyst argues
• Dribbles: Same old issues cost Cavs mightily against shorthanded Hornets