How will the Cleveland Cavaliers fill out their roster?
With off-season re-signings of LeBron James, Kevin Love, Iman Shumpert, and James Jones – the signings of free-agents Mo Williams and Richard Jefferson – as well as the anticipated re-signing of Tristan Thompson, the Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves well above the tax payers cap for next season.
With all the money being spent on bringing back together the dynamic team that was two games shy of winning the NBA Finals, Cleveland finds itself looking for bargain options to fill the roster for the 2015/16 season.
But at this point of the off-season are there any players available that can do much more than keep a spot on the bench warm for the 82 game season?
A few names have been tossed around – both before the free-agency period began and recently – and within six to seven weeks the Cavaliers need to have a roster set to bring to training camp.
Who are the players that can make an impact and actually help this talented Cavs squad?
Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
During the summer season we were informed of the possible signing of Russian center Sasha Kaun, a big man who the team has held draft rights to since 2008.
Kaun has shown interest in signing for a minimum contract worth approximately $525,093 – the cost for a first year player coming into the NBA after playing abroad.
This could be a good insurance big man signing, as both Anderson Varejao and Kevin Love are coming off of season ending injuries. It also gives the Cavaliers an option after next season if center Timofey Mozgov decides to sign elsewhere for a more lucrative deal than the Cavaliers can offer.
Another name that has been mentioned more than a few times is free-agent Tayshaun Prince.
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Cavaliers could use another back-up wing player to complement the signing of Richard Jefferson – who is expected to play a maximum of 15 minutes a night – and allow some roster flexibility that could be useful in giving LeBron James some rest.
Finally – to fill out the anticipated 14 man roster (because of tax reasons and available trade exceptions the Cavaliers are expected to leave one roster spot free) – the Cavaliers will either need to resign shooting guard J.R. Smith or replace him with a suitable option.
At this point in the off-season, finding an upgrade to Smith will be extremely hard, unless the team can find a suitable trade partner for one of its two trade exceptions.
Just yesterday, rumors re-surfaced of a Cavaliers/Clippers trade that would send shooting guard Jamal Crawford to the Cavs.
Feb 5, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
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This may shut the door on the negotiations with Smith – unless he decides that playing in Cleveland for a year with a minimum deal is a good career move for the 29 year-old who will turn 30 before the season starts.
When the Cavaliers will make these moves is unknown. It has become somewhat of a chess-match with the Thompson contract being negotiated still.
These negotiations seem to have stalled further negotiating with the free-agents rumored to be linked with the team. As soon as both sides of these negotiations are satisfied, we will see a more talented, deeper Cavaliers roster assembled and built for the post-season.