NBA Realities

There is a perception within the Cleveland Cavaliers organization that Evan Mobley has the skills to be a dominant offensive player. Head coach JB Bickerstaff stated on January 21st that he believes that Mobley will show flashes of offensive dominance soon.

“There’s a version of Evan that is going to dominate this league,” Bickerstaff said. “We’ve seen it, I think, consistently in defensive moments, but there’s an offensive version of that as well, and I think it’s coming.”

How USC used Evan Mobley 

At first glance, Bickerstaff’s sentiments appear correct as Mobley scored 38 points on January 21st against the Bucks, shooting 70.4% on 27 shots. Unfortunately, despite Mobley’s career night, it is unlikely that he will post these statistics consistently due to his skill set and the team’s roster.

Before arriving in the NBA, USC head coach Andy Enfield decided to start Evan and Isaiah Mobley together ( who were both at least 6’10) during the 2020-21 season. However, he routinely placed Evan Mobley inside the arc during offensive possessions.

USC vs California Golden Bears

For example, Mobley stood above the free throw line during the first possession of a road game against the California Golden Bears on January 23rd, 2021. He came to the top of the key, trying to set a screen for Tahj Eaddy, who didn’t take the screen at the time.

Mobley followed Eaddy to the left wing attempting to set another screen. Eaddy accepted the screen this time and chose to go over the pick to shoot a mid-range jumper. Enfield’s decision allowed Evan Mobley to thrive in two areas, as a roll man and offensive putbacks.

Evan Mobley’s statistics at USC

Evan Mobley spent 17.9% of his possessions as a roll man averaging 2.7 per game; he shot 56.8% on 2.2 attempts per game. Mobley supplemented the roll man success with putbacks. He had a putback opportunity 10.7% of the time averaging 1.6 per game. He shot 72.5% on 0.8 attempts per game.

Both areas helped him do a significant amount of offensive damage around the basket. Mobley attempted 4.1 shots at the rim per game in 33 appearances with the USC Trojans. Mobley made 76.2% of those shots at the basket, which led him to average 3.1 points per game at the rim, 19% of his scoring output.

How the Cleveland Cavaliers are using Mobley 

Unfortunately, the Cavaliers’ big-man rotation has prevented Mobley from being in the paint consistently. He shares the starting lineup with a big man in Jarrett Allen, who is only effective in the paint. Allen has led in paint touches since the 2021-22 season averaging 11.75 per game. He is shooting 69.2% on 6.6 attempts per game, averaging 11.2 points in the paint as a Cavalier.

Allen’s presence has forced Mobley to spend possessions away from the basket. For example, Mobley stood on the right wing early in the first quarter against Memphis on January 18th as Caris LeVert brought the ball up the court. Mobley remained there as LeVert began to drive to the basket until he was surrounded by three Grizzlies leading to a pass to Allen for a dunk.

Consequently, Mobley has averaged 7.85 touches in the paint since he entered the league. Mobley is shooting 69% on 4.4 attempts, averaging 7.25 points per game in the paint, 48.3% of his scoring output. Mobley’s statistics improve when Allen is out of the lineup.

Mobley’s statistics without Jarrett Allen

Allen missed 4 games after Thanksgiving with a back issue allowing Mobley to be the primary big man in the paint. Mobley averaged 9.2 paint touches per game, shooting 77.3% on 4.4 attempts. He averaged 7.7 points per game in the paint, 45.8% of his scoring output.

Mobley’s statistical improvement without Allen indicates that the Cleveland Cavaliers must trade Allen for a front court player comfortable behind the arc. For example, Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner has taken 42.7 % of his shots from behind the arc since 2019, averaging 4.1 per game.

Turner’s comfort from behind the arc would give Mobley more opportunities to be in the paint. Consequently, he would be a better offensive complement to Mobley. Cleveland could begin trade negotiations by offering Allen for Turner.

The hypothetical trade could interest the Pacers as Turner is an impending free agent who has turned down extension offers thus far. Allen would give them a multiple-season solution at the center position as he has 3+ years left on his contract.

In conclusion, the Cavaliers must trade Allen for Mobley to break out offensively.