Dribbles: Breaking Down Koby Altman’s Press Conference, And What Cavs Need To Change

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Random dribbles a day after Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman met with reporters. …

1. Koby Altman made it sound like not much needs to change with the Cavs, and I’m on board with that. A lot of things went right this season. Don’t gut the roster because you weren’t the one team left standing at the end.

2. Altman was also right when he said the following: “I’m really high on and optimistic about our future. That being said, it can’t just be 82 (regular-season) games .. Playoff success needs to come next … There’s an internal belief because of what we proved this year during the regular season, and what we’re capable of to run it back and see what we can do.”

3. Altman cited the trials of recent success stories such as Oklahoma City, Boston and Denver. Each stuck with its main players before finally breaking through (though the Thunder haven’t won a championship yet).

4. That got me to thinking about those teams. The one thing I noticed is that they each added reinforcements to their core. Last offseason, OKC landed Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein, two physical players off the bench. The Celtics got Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis before winning the title last year. Denver added Aaron Gordon before winning it in 2023.

5. All of the players I listed, with perhaps the exception of Porzingis, brought elements of physical and mental toughness to what was already in place. And what was already in place in those situations was already pretty good.

6. I love what the Cavs already have in place. Donovan Mitchell is a superstar. Evan Mobley and Darius Garland are All-Stars. Jarrett Allen is a borderline All-Star, though I do wonder if he didn’t wear down a little at the end. And we know what Max Strus, De’Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome bring.

7. OK, back to Allen. Finding a capable backup center has to be a priority for the Cavs this summer. There are plenty out there, and many won’t cost much. We’re talking someone who can give you 10 minutes most nights and can play 20-25 minutes (or even start) in a pinch. It probably would help if it’s a physical player in the paint — as opposed to someone proficient from beyond the arc.

8. That to me is the Cavaliers’ most pressing need. Nothing against Tristan Thompson. His leadership was invaluable. But he’s no longer playable. That’s not me talking. I’m just basing it on what I saw from Kenny Atkinson. Thompson didn’t even play in situations where I thought maybe he was needed.

9. Again, I’m not about to question this coach. I’m just sharing what I noticed. And I noticed lots of times that the Cavs could’ve used a Hartenstein-type. Or at least a 7-footer who could come in and give Allen (and Mobley) some real relief.

10. OK, on to Garland. He had a banner season before that toe injury. He wasn’t nearly as impactful in the playoffs, likely because of it. Against Indiana, the Cavs struggled to get the ball up the court. Garland was robbed of some quickness. Jerome never had any. I think one reason the Cavs shot so poorly is they had to work so hard to free themselves for looks at the basket. The guards struggled to get the offense into sets.

11. Jerome is an unrestricted free agent. So is Sam Merrill. Altman said he is “hopeful” both will be back. I do think they are both important pieces. Jerome was fantastic for all but maybe four games.

12. Many fans are focused on the fact that two or three of those lousy games were against the Pacers. But remember, these were the first playoffs of Jerome’s career. I trust his body of work over the season. The Cavs will try with all their might to re-sign him, and they should.

13. Merrill’s situation is different. He came into the season as a 3-point specialist. He exited as a guy who was unreliable from the perimeter, but became Mr. Intangible. He did so many other things well. I’ve been doing this for 17 years and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a player re-invent himself to that degree, from one season to the next. Atkinson couldn’t keep him off the court.

14. Merrill is replaceable, yes. But I don’t think the Cavs will find an upgrade, or a player as appreciated by his teammates as much as Merrill, at the same salary. The only way he’s not back is if he gets a larger-than-expected offer elsewhere. Possible, but unlikely.

15. As for the Core Four, again, I wouldn’t make any sweeping changes. I do worry a little about Garland’s durability. Altman addressed that. “How does he get physically stronger?” he said. “How does he get mentally stronger? And he’s still 25, so he’s young. But there’s a level that he has to get to from a body standpoint.”

16. I also agree with Altman when he says that Mitchell and Garland are a fit. I like what I saw from them, together, in Atkinson’s offense. I don’t care that Mitchell is 6-foot-3 and Garland 6-1. The NBA has changed. You can win with a “smaller” backcourt if both are All-Stars. That said, I do think the Cavs should consider starting Hunter (6-8) at small forward next year to give them a little more size.

17. Basically, this is a long-winded way of saying, yes, run it back with your core. Bring back Jerome and Merrill, if possible. Upgrade the bench with a tough big man. Make any changes around the edges of the roster you feel necessary.

18. It might be time to explore trades involving Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade. You may get desperate for backcourt help if Jerome moves on. It also might be time to give Jaylon Tyson a longer look. 

16. Altman and GM Mike Gansey have some work to do. But I believe this team is very close to big things as constructed. You don’t need anything that might be considered sweeping changes. But like other successful teams that finally broke through, the Cavs will need some reinforcements. I bet they get them, too.