Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose both have first names that begin with the letter D (as almost everyone reading this is aware), but I can assure all who are reading this that neither of those “D’s” stand for defense. You all are probably really confused with what I am getting at right now, but it will all make sense here shortly. While signing former MVP Derrick Rose and former three time NBA Champion Dwyane Wade are two fantastic moves for the Cavaliers, it does not help them in one specific area, DEFENSE.

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The Cavaliers certainly were not lacking in offense last season, but with the departing of Kyrie Irving, they did need to sign some people who can score. However, equally so, they needed to consider the other side of basketball. Wade and Rose both have lost a step because of their age and their knee issues, and this will hurt the Cavaliers if in fact they meet up with the Warriors again in the NBA Finals. Jae Crowder has confirmed Tyronn Lue is putting in gameplans and plays already that are centered around playing Golden State. As of now, the Cavaliers have elite defenders in LeBron, Crowder, Shumpert, and Thompson, but aside from Shumpert, they have no elite defending guards to guard Curry, Thompson, and even Swaggy P off the three-point line. Shumpert made it known in the offseason that he would not mind a trade out of Cleveland, so with this being said, it is not certain if Shumpert will even be around all season or give 100% in order to stop the sharpshooting Warriors.

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While Wade and Rose can guard pretty decently in the halfcourt setting, they will have a tough time keeping up with the fast pace mentality the Warriors love to play at. They will struggle to continue to get back to stop the fast break, and this does not solve the issues the Cavs had last season in the playoffs. Some moves the Cavaliers should consider pulling off during the regular season include trading for elite wing defenders like Tony Allen and Ish Smith. The Pelicans and Pistons are borderline playoff teams, so both of these players could be available at the deadline for the Cavs to consider adding.

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The Cavs can assemble great defensive lineups to help shut down the Warriors if they trade for either or both of these players, but the Cavaliers have really been focusing on the offensive side, which is, ironically, where they need the least work. This is another great example of the Cavs front office not having a good idea of the team's true needs. This franchise is lucky that they have LeBron; because without this man, their team would be a complete dumpster fire. He has brought them a championship and has taken them to three straight NBA Finals appearances despite all of the issues the Cavs have faced over these three years.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers had a nice offseason, do not get me wrong. When you add proven veterans like Wade, Rose, Jeff Green, and Jae Crowder, I would say that is a successful offseason. However, the Cavs should not be done yet, and I do not believe in fact they are done improving their roster to better equip themselves to face the Warriors. The defensive side of the floor for the Cavs is what needs the most work, and even more specifically, the Cavs need at least one more elite backcourt defender. This can help the Cavs’ lineup versatility, and may give them the jump to win their second title in four seasons. It will be a great regular season of NBA basketball,and I am very intrigued, as the rest of you should be, to see what moves the Cleveland Cavaliers can pull off during the season that will better prepare their team to head back to a 4th straight NBA Finals and dethrone the Warriors as champions. That is if in fact the Warriors make it back for their 4th straight Finals appearance, too.