NLL Insider - Team by Team: Cleveland Cavaliers

by dunadan, updated on Monday, July 22 2013, 05:44 am EST

2012-2013 Finish: Record 66-16, which is a slight decline percentage wise from last year's lockout shortened season.

Season Highlight

As the first two-time and even back-to-back NLL champion, the Cavs highlight of the season clearly was their game seven victory over the Mavericks. Coming back from behind made it even sweeter for GM alejandro and all Clevelanders.

Season Lowlight

Finding a lowlight in the great season Cleveland had is hard. If anything the upcoming free-agent exodus, that will likely empty their entire bench can be viewed as such.

Maybe alejandro can convince one or two to stick around for the three-peat, but most of them seem destined to move on after riding Lebron's coat-tails to a ring.

Best Trade

Alejandro swung only two trades last season. First he shipped out Al Jefferson for youngster Andre Drummod. For a while, especially during that period where Drummond went down, it looked like this move might cost him that second championship. But with all their high-priced players, keeping Al for the long-term wasnt an option anyway.

Worst Trade

Since there were only two trades, trading Mbah a Moute for exiting free-agent Anthony Morrow was Clevelands worst deal of the season. But getting rid of Luc's salary as a must anyway.

Best FA Signing

Stealing Metta World Peace from the Nuggets and more notably the Knicks once his salary dropped to MLE level, was clearly their best move. MWP turned out to be instrumental in preventing a NY upset.

Worst FA Signing

Like O'Neal, Rasheed Wallace tried to snatch that elusive title in the final stages of his career. Only he didn't make it through the season, and was replaced by another hanger-on in Tracy Mcgrady in mid-April.

Star

LBJ scored 27ppg on 57% shooting during the regular season, adding six rebounds and 5 assists. That's on par with what he did last year. But he stepped up even more in the playoffs. 32ppg on 62% shooting, as well as seven boards and still over four assists.

And while he might have been far away from Melo's scoring title during the regular season, he got the better of him in the finals in all categories.

Surprise

Jermaine O'Neal surprisingly contributed meaning minutes, especially in the playoffs. Of course his numbers were modest, but he formed an effective inside-duo with youngster Ibaka. Who would have thought that he would end up the starting center of a championship team at age 35? (Ok, he only started 4 games during the finals as was pretty crappy, but he started most other playoff games.)

Draft Report Card

The Cavs snatched a player who was supposed to be a second-round talent at pick 29. But Arizona Wildcat Solomon Hill impressed the NBA Pacers so much they selected him at 23. So this is a mixed bag.

While he should be NBA ready as a college senior, which is a plus for the Cavs, he is unlikely to see instant playing time in Indiana, making it doubtful he will be available for a lot of NLL games.

Looking to the Future

The upcoming raise of Ibaka will put the team back over the cap with only seven players signed. Add rookie Hill and they still need at least five players.

But as this past season has shown, it doesn't matter who those five are. They will have no trouble picking up decent bench-fillers.

Upcoming Free Agents

Morrow, O'Neal, McGrady, Watson, Robinson, World Peace. Gelabale, Wilcox.

Barring a last-minute change of heart, it looks as if they are all leaving right now.

NLL Insider - Team by Team: Cleveland Cavaliers

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