Daily Links for Oct. 9: Understanding the Cleveland Cavaliers’ backup bigs

The first sip

With Jarrett Allen on the shelf for at least two weeks, let’s get to know the three others centers the Cavaliers have on the roster.

Damian Jones: Jones, 28, was acquired by the Cavs in summer trade with the Utah Jazz. He is a pretty standard center in that he runs the floors, dunks and has blocked shots at an above average rate for most of his career. If Cleveland elects to put a center in for Allen among the starters, Jones is the closest one-to-one swap available.

Tristan Thompson: Thompson, 32, is what he is at this point. He’s a veteran brought into lead and be the loud voice in the locker room for a team that did not have that last year. If J.B. Bickerstaff wants that on the floor, then Thompson could see some run. But he’s behind Jones at this point his career.

Isaiah Mobley: The elder Mobley is on a two-way, so he’s not going to be in the rotation when the season starts. There’s some intrigue in seeing him in the preseason, though, because it may be the only time to see him against NBA-level players for an extended period. Tuesday’s game against the Hawks would be especially interesting with Atlanta having two quality bigs in Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu.

Mobley is also a different kind of player than Cleveland’s other centers. He has some passing and DHO ability/upside that could add some layers to the Cavs’ offense if it pops.

Read this

At ESPN ($), Zach Lowe goes deep on Jalen Green.

Links of the day

Payton Pritchard got extended by Boston — seems like a fair deal for both sides

USA Basketball is going hard after Jrue Holiday for the 2024 Olympics

Wemby has made his debut for then Spurs in fan scrimmage

Marinne Johannes is one of the most fun players in basketball, full stop

The Aces nabbed Game 1 vs. the Liberty, though — Jackie Young was spectacular