Cleveland Cavaliers

A felony charge of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kevin Porter Jr. has been dropped, his lawyer told ESPN's Brian Windhorst. Misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession and driving without a license from the same incident have also been dismissed.   

Porter was initially charged in mid-November after he was involved in a car crash during which his SUV flipped on the interstate southeast of Cleveland. 

The second-year pro out of USC is not expected to play in either of the Cavaliers' final two preseason contests.

"We've put a plan in place and we've stood by that plan," head coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters Wednesday. "Making sure that all things are met before we take steps forward with him in mind and the team in mind as well."

According to Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor, the Cavaliers are being intentionally vague about Porter's status and remain committed to handling the situation internally. 

That's likely to mean a slow start to the season for a player who averaged 23.2 minutes per game in 2019-20. Porter will not have played in any preseason contests by the time Cleveland opens its season on Dec. 23 against the Charlotte Hornets. 

"I mean, it's a tough situation to be in," Bickerstaff said of Porter's playing time. "I don't know. If you miss an entire training camp, it's going to be a difficult bounce back. But, again, we'll stick with our plan. And then we'll always do what's best by our guys health-wise to make sure that they're prepared to play an NBA game, before we just throw them out there in the trenches."

Life in a post-LeBron James world has been a struggle for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team went 19-63 in the 2018-19 season and was on pace to better that mark last year, going 19-46 before the season was put on hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

That doesn't mean there isn't hope in Cleveland. In Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, the team has a young and exciting backcourt. No. 5 overall pick Isaac Okoro was added to the young core. Veteran Kevin Love returns to lead the way. Center Andre Drummond is also back after exercising his $28.7 million player option for this season. 

Let's take a look at the schedule they'll face as they try to improve this season. 

                  

2020-21 Cavs Schedule Details

Season Opener: Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. ET vs. the Charlotte Hornets (home)

Championship Odds: 250-1, per FanDuel

First-Half Schedule: NBA.com

                

Top Matchups

Los Angeles Lakers (First Game: Monday, Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. ET)

Hey, anytime the Cavaliers play James, it matters. And what better measuring stick for how far along the Cavaliers are in their own rebuild than facing the defending champions? 

Nobody will expect the Cavaliers to win either of these games, but if Sexton and company could pull off an upset against the big, bad Lakers it would be a season highlight. 

But yes, highlighting this matchup is mostly about James returning to Cleveland, where he spent the majority of his career in two separate stints, winning the only title in franchise history. 

                 

Atlanta Hawks (First Game: Saturday, Jan. 2 at 7:30 p.m. ET)           

Speaking of measuring progress, the Hawks—much like the Cavaliers—are amid a multi-year rebuild. Unlike the Cavs, they have already unearthed a superstar in Trae Young, who was an All-Star last year. And now that they've added Danilo Gallinari, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Rajon Rondo and Kris Dunn in free agency, the Hawks are a fun hipster pick to sneak into the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference this year. 

These games will give Cavs fans and management a chance to see how the team's own rebuilding plans—and young talent—stacks up. There are rebuilds that explode after exciting young talent is added (see the Process Sixers going from 28 to 52 wins between the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, thanks to Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons) and rebuilds that seem to aimlessly meander for years on end (see the New York Knicks). 

Both the Hawks and Cavaliers are hoping to be the former. These matchups will be a fun test of which organization is closer to that goal. 

            

Prediction

The Cavaliers don't look like a team ready to turn the corner and compete for a playoff berth this season, but wilder things have happened. If Sexton and Garland take the next step, or if Okoro hits the ground running, the Cavs could surprise some teams. 

More than likely, this is a team heading for the lottery yet again. But the expectation will be growth from the team's young core. 

Cautious optimism is the course of action for Cavaliers fans. There are too many good teams in the Eastern Conference ahead of the Cavaliers to assume they'll make a playoff push.

The Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers are all playoff locks, barring major injuries. That's seven teams right there, while the Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards and Hawks are ahead of the Cavaliers at this point. 

So no, the Cavs aren't going to the playoffs this year. But they should be better, however incrementally. 

    

Record Prediction: 20-52 

Obi Toppin is a member of the New York Knicks in part because the Cleveland Cavaliers did not like what they saw on the defensive end.

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, "the Cavaliers weren't sold on Toppin's defensive prowess at No. 5" on draft day. As a result, he slipped to the Knicks at No. 8.

It makes sense from Cleveland's perspective that it was concerned about defense. It finished the 2019-20 campaign last in the league in defensive rating, per NBA.com, and looked to bolster its ability on that side of the ball with Auburn's Isaac Okoro.

There is plenty to like about Toppin, but defense is a concern as he heads to the next level.

He is 6'9" and 220 pounds, which isn't exactly the optimal size to play center in small-ball lineups. He also doesn't appear to have the quickness to guard some of the athletic forwards he will face in the NBA, making his fit on the defensive side less than ideal.

Toppin at least brings quite the offensive arsenal to the table.

He won the Naismith College Player of the Year at Dayton in 2019-20 behind 20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting a blistering 63.3 percent from the floor. He can finish at the rim, shoot over smaller defenders and take over extended stretches as an elite scorer.

The Knicks haven't made the playoffs since the 2012-13 campaign but at least have some building blocks in Toppin, RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson.

Cleveland didn't want to take a chance on Toppin because of his defense, which may work out well for the Knicks if that trio lives up to expectations.

Center Thon Maker has agreed to a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. 

Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com noted it's a non-guaranteed training camp deal and the center will have to compete for the team's final roster spot along with Levi Randolph, Charles Matthews and Marques Bolden. Cleveland already has 14 players under contract for 2020-21.

The Detroit Pistons had previously decided against extending a qualifying offer to Maker, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Maker has failed to live up to expectations as a lottery pick in the 2016 draft.

The South Sudan native showed promise during his first season with the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 14.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per 36 minutes, but he wasn't able to improve when his playing time increased.

He was traded to the Pistons during the 2018-19 season but the change in scenery hasn't led to an increase in production.

The 23-year-old averaged 4.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game in 2019-20 despite making 60 appearances, including 14 starts.

There have still been positive signs for the 7'0" player, showing his athleticism and rim-protection when on the floor.

DON'T JUMP WITH THON MAKER. https://t.co/snOs2zmAGD

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 12, 2019

He also knocked down 34.4 percent of his shots from three-point range this season (22-of-64), proving the ability to stretch the floor from the 5 spot.

Maker has done enough to be a reliable part of the rotation, even with limited minutes. The Cavaliers will hope to get a steal in free agency if the young player continues to improve.

Matthew Dellavedova is returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers, reportedly agreeing to a one-year minimum deal on Monday, according to ESPN's Olgun Uluc and Adrian Wojnarowski.

Marc Stein of the New York Times reported the Los Angeles Lakers had interest in Dellavedova, but the veteran ultimately opted to remain Cleveland.

The 30-year-old point guard is coming off a four-year, $38.43 million contract he originally signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2016. 

A reliable defender off the bench, Dellavedova averaged 3.1 points, 1.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 57 games during the 2019-20 season for a Cavs team working to rebuild on the fly around the likes of Collin Sexton, Darius Garland and Kevin Porter Jr. 

That made the season a year for growth in Cleveland, with the team finishing with a 19-46 record. The Cavs did not return to play following the COVID-19 hiatus.

Undrafted out of Saint Mary's in 2013, the Australia native first signed with the Cavs in 2013 and helped the team win the 2016 NBA Finals over the Golden State Warriors. 

Following that season, Dellavedova was sent to the Bucks in a sign-and-trade for the rights to Albert Miralles and a $4.8 million trade exception. The 6'3" guard was sent back to Cleveland in 2018 as part of the three-team trade with Milwaukee and the Washington Wizards.

Penn State wing Lamar Stevens will play in the NBA for the Cleveland Cavaliers after going undrafted on Wednesday, according to Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.  

Bet!! Back to work 👿

— Lamar Stevens (@LamarStevens11) November 19, 2020

The forward has reportedly agreed to a two-way deal.     

Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report

Player: Lamar Stevens

Position: SG/SF

Height: 6'8"

Weight: 225

Scouting Report: Three-point shooting has always held Lamar Stevens back from moving up draft boards, but for a 6'8" forward, his scoring versatility remains intriguing. He's a shot creator with drives, post-ups and mid-range jumpers.

Cavaliers Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year)

Andre Drummond, C: $28.7M (2021)

Cedi Osman, SF: $7.8M (2024)

Kevin Love, PF: $30.1M (2023)

Larry Nance Jr., PF: $11.2M (2023)

Darius Garland, PG: $6.6M (2023)

Alfonzo McKinnie, PF: $1.8M (2023)

Dylan Windler, SF: $2.1M (2023)

Kevin Porter Jr., SG: $1.7M (2023)

Collin Sexton, PG: $4.6M (2022)

Dante Exum, PG: $11M (2021)

Jordan Bell, C: $1M (2021)

Dean Wade, PF: $1.2M (2023)

Isaac Okoro, SF: Rookie scale contract (2024)

Lamar Stevens, F: TBA

     

Free Agents

Tristan Thompson, C: UFA

Matthew Dellavedova, PG: UFA 

Ante Zizic, C: UFA

Matt Mooney, G: RFA

Stevens averaged 17.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists in his final season with Penn State. Now he'll get an opportunity to show he can maintain that success on the next level. 

The two-way contract should take some pressure off the forward as well. He'll be able to develop at his own pace in the G League while providing the Cavs with an option up front whenever needed. Despite the league passing on him twice, Stevens has still found himself with an NBA contract on draft night. 

Isaac Okoro wasted no time showering his family with gifts after officially making it to the NBA.

The No. 5 pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday became the first Auburn lottery pick since Chris Morris in 1988 and celebrated accordingly.

Only moments after his life changed forever, Okoro walked his mother outside, where he had a new Range Rover waiting for her with a Chanel purse and Rolex watch inside the car.

After getting picked 5th overall, Isaac Okoro surprised his mom with a Range Rover, a Chanel purse and a ROLEX ❤️ @isaacokoro303

Real one.

(via @CooperSharife) pic.twitter.com/qYhjtf2180

— Overtime (@overtime) November 19, 2020

According to Spotrac, the small forward is expected to sign a contract worth at least $13.1 million over the next two years with two team options available to the Cavs.

If all goes well, Okoro will be able to buy even more presents for his mom—as well as anyone else.

The Cleveland Cavaliers added one of the best defensive prospects available in the 2020 NBA draft when they selected Auburn wing Isaac Okoro with the No. 5 overall pick Wednesday.

Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report

Player: Isaac Okoro

Position: SF/PF

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 225

Pro Comparison: Justise Winslow

Scouting Report: Defensive toughness and versatility are Isaac Okoro's NBA calling cards. At 6'6" and 225 pounds, he's built to guard the opposing team's top scoring guard, wing or forward. Okoro won't take over games offensively, but he's efficient, and he'll find a way to fit into an off-ball role. Scouts want to see if he can build on the flashes of playmaking and improve his shooting, a debated topic within NBA front offices.

Here is a look at how the rookie fits into the rest of the roster:

      

Cavaliers Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year)

Andre Drummond, C: $25.4M (2021)

Cedi Osman, SF: $7.8M (2024)

Kevin Love, PF: $30.1M (2023)

Larry Nance Jr., PF: $11.2M (2023)

Darius Garland, PG: $6.6M (2023)

Alfonzo McKinnie, PF: $1.8M (2023)

Dylan Windler, SF: $2.1M (2023)

Kevin Porter Jr., SG: $1.7M (2023)

Collin Sexton, PG: $4.6M (2022)

Dante Exum, PG: $11M (2021)

Jordan Bell, C: $1M (2021)

Dean Wade, PF: $1.2M (2023)

Isaac Okoro, SF/PF: Rookie scale contract (2024)

     

Free Agents

Tristan Thompson, C: UFA

Matthew Dellavedova, PG: UFA 

Ante Zizic, C: UFA

Matt Mooney, G: RFA

         

"It's always been a dream of mine since I was a little kid to have a chance to make it to the NBA," Okoro told Jason Jordan of Sports Illustrated in May, when he officially announced he would remain in the draft. "It feels so surreal right now, but I also know once draft day comes, I'm just gonna be ready for the moment."

The 19-year-old arrived at Auburn as a 4-star recruit in the class of 2019, per 247Sports' composite rankings, and he made the most of his one collegiate season to help complete his path to the NBA.

He averaged 12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 51.4 percent overall and 28.6 percent from three-point range on the way to SEC All-Defense, SEC All-Freshman and All-SEC second-team recognition.

While Okoro has room for improvement on the offensive side, especially when it comes to long-range shooting, his defense stands out. His 6'9" wingspan helps him bother outside shooters, dart into passing lanes and cut off penetration, and he is quick enough to guard multiple positions if needed.

The athleticism that allows him to stay in front of ball-handlers and cover so much space on defense should also help him develop his offensive attack as someone who can drive the lane and finish around the rim.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected Okoro as the No. 7 overall pick in a May mock draft and suggested he could become an "efficient scorer and high-IQ passer" along with a lockdown defender.

"He's not an advanced creator or shooter, but Okoro shot 60.3 percent inside the arc while guarding ball-handlers, wings and bigs throughout the season," he wrote. ... "He just turned 19 years old and has a strong reputation for work ethic and focus."

Okoro will now look to parlay that potential on both sides of the ball into a regular contributing role for the Cavs.

Kevin Love has opened up about the mental health problems he continues to deal with, including thinking about suicide.

On an upcoming episode of In Depth with Graham Bensinger, the Cleveland Cavaliers star said that suicidal thoughts still "cross your mind" after noting he once tried to look up ways to kill himself while playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

"If you've been down that road ... it does cross your mind," Love said. "And I've just learned to speak my truth, honestly. I've learned that nothing haunts us like the things we don't say. So me keeping that in is actually more harmful."   

Love first addressed his struggles with mental health in a March 2018 article on The Players' Tribune. The five-time All-Star noted that he had a panic attack in the middle of a game between the Cavs and Atlanta Hawks: 

"Mental health isn't just an athlete thing. What you do for a living doesn't have to define who you are. This is an everyone thing. No matter what our circumstances, we're all carrying around things that hurt — and they can hurt us if we keep them buried inside. Not talking about our inner lives robs us of really getting to know ourselves and robs us of the chance to reach out to others in need. So if you're reading this and you're having a hard time, no matter how big or small it seems to you, I want to remind you that you're not weird or different for sharing what you're going through."

Speaking to Bensinger, Love noted it's been easier for him to get through things knowing that there are people out there who have dealt with similar issues and want to help. 

"I know that there's a whole group and a strength in numbers out there of people that are dealing with it," Love said. "And if we have more people that pay it forward—like we've seen across a number of sports and a number of walks of life—that's gonna be better."

Since going public with his mental health issues, Love has started his own charity fund that is designed to provide people with the tools to treat their physical and emotional well being. 

 

Maccabi Tel Aviv star Deni Avdija might be a lock for the top five of the 2020 NBA draft Wednesday night.

In his most recent mock draft, The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor projected Avdija to go fifth overall to the Cleveland Cavaliers, reporting that "executives around the league believe Avdija won't fall past the Cavaliers; they're said to be high on the Israeli forward, who provides playmaking and defensive versatility."

Former Dayton star Obi Toppin has been heavily linked with Cleveland. The Athletic's John Hollinger reported Avdija and Toppin have been the only two players mentioned as possible options for the Cavs.

Toppin is the safer bet. He averaged 20.0 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 63.3 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from three-point range in his final year with the Flyers.

Defense is a big concern with the 6'9" forward, though, and he's three years older than Avdija.

The 19-year-old might also be a better fit on the wing, which is the most glaring need for Cleveland to address. Cedi Osman isn't a starting-caliber 3, and Kevin Porter Jr. operates better at 2-guard than in the frontcourt.

The 6'9" Avdija averaged 12.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 33 Israeli Premier League games. He also shot 35.3 percent on three-pointers.

The Cavs have gone nowhere in the two seasons after LeBron James left for a second time. One could argue that gives them a reason to take the surer thing with Toppin to make some level or progress in 2020-21. Avdija represents riskier play who could pay bigger dividends—something that can't be discounted for a franchise in a non-marquee market.