Can the Cavs Keep the Band Together?

May 12, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert (4) shoots in the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

(Disclaimer: This is not an attempt to be negative or start a story. Instead this is something I am thinking about as a fan and since I am thinking about it I am guessing other fans have wondered it as well. I started writing because I am a fan and I will always stay a fan no matter what my “job” is.)

It leads me to the tough question: Can the Cavs keep the band together?

The Cavs are in a unique position that very few of their key players, or even their depth, is under contract for certain next year.  Only Kyrie Irving, Anderson Varejao and Joe Harris are certainly under contract next year. The Cavs are all but certain to pick up the team option on Timofey Mozgov as well.

Next year is the 1st year for Irving new max contract extension, doubling his salary from $7 million to $14 million. Varejao’s extension, signed this off-season, is for just under $10 million a year. Harris is making a middling $845K that could be easily moved if needed. Timo will earn just under $5 million.

Four. 4 players are certain to return next year for the Cavaliers, 3 under contract and 1 with a team option almost certain to be picked up. That means 11 roster spots are up in the air. Lets take a look at all the current players that could go elsewhere next year:

Next: The Big Guns