I was moderately big on 2 players on your G League this year prior to the draft in Sharife Cooper and Isaiah Mobley. What I was surprised to find out was how productive they were this year at only 21 (Cooper) and 23 (Mobley) this year.
The big knock on both players is probably defense, but despite [Interesting stat: The Cleveland Charge finished **6th in DRTG** this year, despite having 3 players who are common referred to as negative defenders:
Isaiah Mobley
Sharife Cooper
Sam Merrill](https://twitter.com/sonicarray3/status/1685672465257611265?s=46&t=XZRUUjvHdgSU1Aj1HJAVpg)
Clearly all 3 are good enough to play in the NBA on offense, Sharife has been an outlier creator at every level averaging college numbers matched by Trae Young only in sheet production in PTS/ AST (20/8, not saying he’s Trae but it’s worth mentioning he has been producing everywhere). Mobley is clearly an above average shooter/passer/ for a center and is comfortable attacking closeouts with his pretty solid handle, can even grab and go and averaged 4 asts this year in the G league, he is a smart player. Merrill is arguably the best shooter in all of the G League.
[Clearly all 3 are good enough offensively to play in the NBA;
[For perspective:
Cooper: 22.8/7 on 60 TS (all G League 2nd team =45/36/84 splits
Mobley: 21.5/9/4 all G league 3rd team = 52/36/74 splits 66 TS
Merrill: 43% on 8 attempts per game, 17 PPG on 66 TS](https://twitter.com/sonicarray3/status/1685683206610120704?s=46&t=XZRUUjvHdgSU1Aj1HJAVpg)
Now, I am not saying they are superstars; but Cooper isn’t even on a 2 way deal (free agent), and I’m pretty sure Mobley is a FA since his 2 way expired. Should the Cavs look to bring these guys back and do they have any upside as players long term in the NBA?
by ArrayMichael7
10 Comments
Taco Fall averaged 15 and 10 on 75% shooting, and 3 blocks in the G League. Take everything with a grain of salt.
Did you also have a “Travers should be part of the rotation” take last year as well?
I don’t see Isiaha Mobley NOT being Cavalier ultimately. Evan is too important
Merrill is on the roster and Mobley is on a 2 way. Sharife still nowhere near good enough defensively but I do hope he gets a shot eventually
You are on one my guy, being productive in the G league does not mean they are “clearly” good enough to play in NBA
1. I don’t think Cooper fits a need for the NBA roster much at all, especially with the performance of Porter this summer league. If he gets scooped up by another team, I don’t see it as a major loss.
2. I don’t think the Cavs are interested in “forcing the issue” with Brobley just yet. He, along with many of the other guys being talked about on the summer league team, are probably better off getting regular minutes with the Charge for now, and if Damian Jones or Rubio aren’t cutting it by mid season, then maybe we see one of them.
3. Mobley is easily the most likely to see time with the Cavs. Even if Rubio is poor, that’s why Ty Jerome is here. I think he’s an underrated addition this offseason for sure.
Too much talent in the NBA right now IMO
I feel like Cooper would be better off somewhere else. It’s just going to hard to find him a role. Craig Porter Jr’s skillset makes more sense with Garland and Mitchell.
I’m hoping we move Rubio(and Wade for Royce O’Neale preferably) and call up Cooper, keep Porter Jr on the 2-way so he can work on his offensive game more. Cooper’s size will always put him at a disadvantage but he’s able to consistently beat defenses with his speed similar to Garland. He won’t get big minutes but I agree I think he deserves a roster spot in the NBA
Bates, Mobley, and Porter Jr. are all on 2-ways which IMO are the correct calls.
I think it’s pretty indicative of Cooper’s NBA chances that despite having him within the system for over a year and his performances in the G League and SL, the Cavs offered a 2-way to UDFA Craig Porter over him and no other team has offered him a 2-way either. Feel like he’s one of those guys who shines against that level of competition but won’t be able to carve out a role in the NBA. Would be cool if he proves that opinion wrong because it’s always nice to see guys make it after working through adversity though