Scout on Cavs: Will Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland Work?

One rival scout seemed to admit the Cavaliers should be even better this season, but wondered if everyone will fit as hoped following the trade for All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell.

As part of the Mitchell deal, the Cavs sent guard Collin Sexton, forward Lauri Markkanen and rookie shooting guard Ochai Agbaji back to the Jazz.

The opposing scout voiced his opinions to Howard Beck of Sports Illustrated in the publications famous anonymous scout takes on the upcoming season.

“Are Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland a good fit on the Cavaliers?” the scout asked, via Beck. “It’s a legitimate concern, just like it would have been if Collin Sexton had come back. Except there’s an innate hierarchy, because Mitchell has proved that he is better. Mitchell and Garland are both high-usage players. Pace and extra possessions would help this team.”

The scout then went on to indicate that despite starting two 6-foot-1 guards, the Cavs should be able to make up for their lack of size with center Jarrett Allen and forward Evan Mobley, the runner-up for Rookie of the Year last season.

“It’s a smallish backcourt. But they have two pretty good young bigs, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, to counter that,” the scout said, via Beck. “Their top five is good enough to compete with the top tier in the East. … The questions would be: Is Isaac Okoro the starting three, or is it Caris LeVert? Who plays the four when Mobley goes out?”

Either way, the entire NBA clearly views the Cavs as a young, talented team with a very bright future. But they’re shouldn’t be considered true contenders just yet, the scout indicated.

“Cleveland is still a notch below the Celtics and the Bucks,” the scout said, via Beck.

The Cavs open the season Wednesday with a visit to the Raptors. For more out of Cleveland, check out our Cavs page right here.