Cavaliers Front Office Exec: ‘We Think We Did Well To Add Some Talent’

NBA reporter Keith Smith of Spotrac spoke to a Cleveland Cavaliers front office exec at Summer League in Las Vegas. 

The Cavaliers exec thinks the team improved this offseason by getting Lonzo Ball and Larry Nance Jr. 

“It’s hard being a second apron team, but we think we did well to add some talent,” the Cavaliers exec said. “Thrilled to bring Sam Merrill back. We value his shooting so much. Lonzo is really going to help us. He gives us more size and defense in the backcourt, and his passing will be so great for all of our guys.

“Larry is going to really help our frontcourt a lot. He can play either big spot and that’s huge in a rotation with Evan (Mobley) and Jarrett (Allen). We’re also excited about Tyrese Proctor too. We think he was a tremendous value pick in the second round.”

The Cavaliers were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last season. They swept the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs but lost to the Indiana Pacers in the conference semifinals in five games. 

Cleveland traded Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls for Ball, re-signed Merrill and signed Nance Jr.

The Cavaliers also gave president of basketball operations Koby Altman, general manager Mike Gansey, assistant general manager Brandon Weems, vice president of basketball operations/general counsel Jason Hillman and vice president of basketball strategy and personnel Jon Nichols extensions.

Ty Jerome left the Cavaliers for the Memphis Grizzlies, which is why the addition of Ball was so critical. 

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