Evan Mobley’s long-term development plan is focused on greatness. Speaking with Mark Medina of RG, the Cavaliers forward’s trainer (Olin Simplis) said Mobley has “MVP-level potential” and the ability to become one of the faces of the league if he continues to refine his game and mindset. First, he drew the comparison to Kevin Garnett and explained their similar defensive styles.
“I’ve known the kid since high school. He’s been with me since he was at USC,” said Olin Simplis, via Mark Medina. “He has that second bounce defensively that KG had. KG is long, athletic and defensively is such a menace. He gets to his second bounce quicker than a lot of players. Evan has that.”
Simplis also mentioned Mobley with Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. According to the trainer, both players share the same versatile tools that allow them to make such an enormous impact on the court.
“Like Giannis, Evan can grab and go. Giannis is probably one of my favorite players of all time,” the trainer added. “Evan also has the toolbox to grab the ball off the rim and initiate the offense and create. I think he’s probably a little bit more skilled and fluid than Giannis. Evan has things that KG can do, but that Giannis doesn’t. Evan also has things that Giannis does and that KG can do. So Evan can be a mold of both of those guys.”
Kevin Garnett and Giannis Antetokounmpo are two of the greatest power forwards ever. Their legacies have defined the position and set the standard for many who came after. Giannis is still actively playing today, and his resume as a champion and two-time MVP put him in the highest tier of NBA stardom. The fact that Mobley is mentioned in the same breath as these stars reflects just how talented he really is, even if he is still unproven.
At just 24 years old, Mobley isn’t nearly as accomplished as the alpha superstars but his story is only just beginning. So far, while he’s been steadily improving since the 2021 Draft, the Cavaliers big man hasn’t quite lived up to his potential in Cleveland. Last season, his fourth in the NBA, marked his first All-Star appearance with averages of 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game and it did not come with the playoff success he was expecting.
Instead, despite Mobley winning Defensive Player of the Year, the Cavaliers (after going 64-18 in the regular season) lost in the Semifinals in a major upset by the Indiana Pacers. Sent back in defeat once again, some critics expected the Cavaliers to make significant changes but they settled on minor additions instead in the form of Lonzo Ball, Thomas Bryant, and Larry Nance Jr.
Going into the 2025-26 campaign, the Cavs are feeling confident in their team as a whole but they know their success hinges on Mobley’s development. If he can become the star he was meant to be and live up to the Giannis comparisons, it could be the final step for this Cavs team to finally make history in the NBA playoffs.
In the end, if Evan Mobley can grow into even a fraction of the players he’s being compared to, the Cavaliers’ future is in great shape. He has the skill, drive, and maturity to reach another level, and this season will be his chance to prove he belongs among the NBA’s elite.
