On the Cavs
On the surface, they don’t seem positioned to make a summer splash. President of basketball operations Koby Altman already said he wasn’t planning any sweeping changes to a roster that won 51 games and advanced to the playoffs for the first time in five years. Despite a disappointing -- and quick -- postseason exit, the organization doesn’t view the roster as fundamentally broken. None of the core four -- Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley or Jarrett Allen -- are available.
There’s also mutual interest in unrestricted free agent Caris LeVert returning on a deal that could land somewhere between $15-18 million annually.
LeVert isn't worth that money. Not even sure he is worth the MLE. One of the more over-rated guys in the league.
As Altman discussed following the season, the non-taxpayer midlevel exception provides one path to external improvement. The Cavs have $12.4 million to spend on a player or two in free agency and sources tell cleveland.com they are prioritizing wings.
On Max Strus
The two primary questions: Where will it come from and how much is he going to get? There are seven cap-space teams that could offer Strus more than the midlevel exception, taking him out of Cleveland’s price range. Indiana and Orlando have been considered potential landing spots. Detroit would make sense too -- although the Pistons could be thinking bigger.
If Strus is in play for the MLE, sources say he will be near the top of the Cavs’ wish list. But Cleveland decision-makers are getting the impression Strus will be too expensive and their offer won’t be good enough.
On DiVincenzo
One member of Cleveland’s front office started his career in Milwaukee and still had connections to that organization at the time DiVincenzo got drafted by the Bucks 17th overall in 2018. The Cavs have pursued him multiple times the last couple of years.
Despite being a reliable outside shooter and having playoff experience, both with the Warriors and Bucks, DiVincenzo is a bit undersized at 6-foot-4, especially for a team looking for a more permanent solution at small forward as opposed to another guard. Will that be an obstacle?
I liked their breakdown of Kelly Oubre
Kelly Oubre Jr., forward, Charlotte Hornets
The enigmatic swingman is hardly an ideal fit. But he may be the best Cleveland can afford.
Despite playing on four teams in his nomadic career, Oubre is still just 27 years old with plenty of good hoops ahead. He is also coming off a breakout season that helped boost his value. Serving as one of Charlotte’s primary offensive options, Oubre averaged 20.3 points on 43.1% from the field and 31.9% from beyond the arc to go with 5.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.4 steals. He made just 32.3% of his catch-and-shoot 3s despite those looks accounting for about one-third of his shot profile.
While he’s a high-volume launcher capable of threatening opposing defenses in a way young incumbent starter Isaac Okoro doesn’t at this stage of his career, Oubre has never been efficient -- or reliable. He is a career 33% shooter from distance and has hit better than 34% just three times in eight years. The definition of streaky, Oubre is more of a backup than a starter-quality wing.
But in a weak free agency class, with a team desperate to fill a void …
Also mentioned Jalen McDaniels from Philly. They were not sold on him since he couldn't even stay in Philly's rotation in the playoffs so is he really the solution to CLE's problems at SF?
And Seth Curry as a backup PG/SG. A shooter to play behind and alongside either Garland or D Mitchell. He would be a good fit alongside those two offensively. The belief is CLE's two seven footers provide enough defensive protection to add another small guard.
On Josh Richardson
Josh Richardson, guard, New Orleans Pelicans
Sources say the Cavs had general conversations about acquiring Richardson a few months ago, ahead of the February trade deadline. Only they opted to stand pat instead. Richardson isn’t a needle-mover. He doesn’t create much off the dribble and is a bit slender at 6-6, 200 pounds. But the 29-year-old guard shoots well enough to keep defenses honest and is a feisty on-ball defender who could be a rotational piece while also coming at a slight discount compared to other targets.
Mention Watanabe as well. Talk of him as a minimum guy and a deep roster piece rather than a rotation piece.
Joe Ingles is a favourite of D Mitchell. May be a reunion on the cards.
Troy Brown as a backup SF. Improved jumper. Solid defender. Not starter material but a good bench piece is the writer's thoughts.
Then discuss Taureen Green, Georges Niang, Trey Lyles, Mason Plumlee, Christian Wood, Dwight Powell, Thomas Bryant, Biyombo. The writer calls Trey Lyles the ideal stretch PF to play behind E Mobley. Unsure if Christian Wood will be in their price range (full MLE). CLE clearly want a mobile backup C to replace R Lopez. Also maybe a more reliable offensive threat than Dean Wade at backup PF.
They want Miles Bridges but cannot see how they can afford him. An MLE offer is not enough to pry him away from Charlotte who have made him a restricted FA.
Talk about Grant Williams
The tough, hard-nosed and mouthy Williams is more of a 4 than a 3. Sometimes he will even play small-ball 5. This will be a fascinating negotiation considering his pedestrian career numbers don’t dazzle. He’s never averaged double figures, is a career 38% 3-point shooter and has limited playmaking chops. But he can defend multiple positions, help space the floor and won’t get played off the floor in any situation. He also has 61 games of postseason experience. That’s an enticing package, especially if a smart team sees him as an underutilized piece capable of evolving with more opportunity.
Cedi Osman’s expiring contract combined with some added salary filler and future second-round picks could be appealing to a cap-strapped organization in a possible sign-and-trade deal that would allow the Cavs to sign Williams for more than midlevel exception -- similar to what they did a few years ago with Lauri Markkanen. Would that be enough?
Then again, is there any suitor willing to commit more than the $12.4 million he was offered a year ago -- and ultimately rejected? Could the Cavs take advantage and steal him away with the midlevel? If the midlevel is a realistic option, there will be plenty of competition.
Given that he seemingly fell out of favor and Boston is staring down a tricky luxury-tax crunch, it’s possible the Celtics won’t be willing to match an offer sheet in the mid-to-high teens.
https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2023/06/miles-bridges-max-strus-donte-divincenzo-seth-curry-which-players-are-the-best-free-agent-fits-for-cavs.htmlGood article.
Topic: 2023 NBA Trade Rumors & rumors FA signings (Read 78304 times)