The Cleveland Cavaliers had a rather disappointing 2021 season in which they missed the playoffs once again.
Despite this, there were some high points for the Cavs that they can bring into the 2022 season.
3. Acquiring Jarrett Allen
The Cavs got him in the blockbuster deal that was headlined by James Harden joining the Brooklyn Nets.
However, in the background of this deal Cleveland added Allen and Taurean Prince to their roster while giving up almost nothing.
This was one of the most underrated trades in the entire NBA this season.
Allen brought a lot to the Cavaliers this season, and also helped out their cap space situation tremendously.
Shortly after Allen joined the team, Andre Drummond notified the Cavs’ front office that he would no longer play for the team.
As a result of this, the Cavs were forced to buy out his contract.
While this was a lot of money to spend just for Drummond to no longer be on the team, it freed up money that would have been used to resign him if Allen was not added to the team.
Along with this, Allen was a great starting center for the team.
In his games with the Cavs, he finished the season averaging 13.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.
This impressed the Cavs coaching staff and it has been reported that he is the only surefire starter for next season.
I've always thought that people on Twitter who say Jarrett Allen is the only good player on this team were pretty insane.
But an NBA Scout now apparently?
sheesh pic.twitter.com/gBEqqDShoe
— The Cavalier Recap (@CavalierRecap) May 30, 2021
#2: Continued Improvement By Collin Sexton
Sexton is arguably the most talented player on the Cavs roster and the best player they have drafted since Kyrie Irving.
He had his best statistical season yet in 2021.
He finished the year averaging 24.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists.
Sexton proved himself as one of the better scorers in the league.
Along with this, he showed off his elite ability to finish at the basket in 2021.
He finished the year with a career high in both two point field goal percentage and free throws attempted per game.
Sexton also made a key improvement to his game that the Cavs desperately needed.
That change being him focusing more on playmaking and creating shots for others.
This change in mindset and playstyle led to Sexton making a jump from 3.0 assists in 2019 and 2020 to 4.4 assists in 2021.
If Sexton is able to continue this progression in 2022, he will become at least an All-Star caliber player.
#3: Continuing the Tank
While this on the surface may not seem like a good thing, the Cavs need at least another year in the lottery before they can really contend in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavs have the 5th best odds of winning the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA lottery.
2021 NBA Draft tiebreaker results
No. 4 pick: Oklahoma City Thunder
No. 5 pick: Cleveland Cavaliers
No. 8 pick: Chicago Bulls*
No. 9 pick: Sacramento Kings
No. 10 pick: New Orleans PelicansMay be given to Orlando (if outside of top-4 post lottery)
(via @DraftExpress) pic.twitter.com/yeuZ1mvnzS
— Beyond The Bleachers (@BeyondBleachers) May 25, 2021
If they are able to land the first pick or make a jump in the lottery, they may be able to land a player that changes the entire trajectory of the franchise.
Cleveland currently has plenty of talented young players on their roster, however, they do not have a star to lead them to the promised land.
With the odds being in their favor to land another high pick in the lottery, the tank may be over after this draft due to the 22-50 record in 2021.
NEXT: 3 Players The Cleveland Cavaliers Should Build Around