Cleveland Cavaliers Free Agency Priorities

The Cleveland Cavaliers will continue celebrating their NBA Finals win, but they have work to in free agency. What are the team’s priorities as the free agency period nears?

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reigning NBA Champions after delivering the city of Cleveland it’s first major championship since 1964. The NBA Draft has come and gone and teams gear up for NBA Free Agency.

Cleveland’s king is technically a free agent, but there’s no need to worry because he told ESPN‘s Dave McMenamin that he “has no intentions of leaving” Cleveland. Additionally, James will leave $3 million on the table by re-signing with the Cavs, as opposed to leaving for another NBA team.

Until LeBron officially signs his new deal, let’s take a look at the current roster and payroll for the 2016-17 NBA season.

There are currently six players that are on the current roster for next season. Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, Iman Shumpert, Channing Frye and Sasha Kaun are all under contract for the 2016-17 season and are owed a combined $71,138,623. The NBA salary cap rises to $94 million when free agency begins on July 1st.

James’ salary can rise up to $27.5 million if he re-signs for another one-year deal with the Cavs, according to ESPN‘s Brian Windhorst. That would bring the Cavs’ salary to $98,638,623, and that is just for the previous six player and LeBron.

None of this factors in the numbers for Cleveland-draftee Kay Felder, who was selected 54th overall in the 2016 NBA Draft. Felder’s contract will be one of the smallest contracts, but until he signs and the value is announced, it is an unknown variable. After all, Felder could prove to be a pivotal part of the Cavs rotation next season.

The salary situation keeps general manager David Griffin’s hands tied when it comes to adding pieces to fill out the bench. Having so little salary to work with hurts the Cavs because they can’t add many quality players.

Related Story: What Does Kay Felder Bring To Cavs, Mean For Others?

Outside of anything LeBron related, the Cavs need to re-sign J.R. Smith before they target anyone else in free agency. Smith was a pivotal part of the Cavs success during their championship run. He has averaged 12.5 points per game since joining the Cavs during the 2014-15 season and has a shooting line of .419/.396/.692.

Smith was due to make $5,000,000 for the 2016-17 season if he picked up his player option. However, he declined his player option, according to ESPN‘s Brian Windhorst, and will become a free agent.

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After Smith, things become a little tricky. With so little cap space to work with, the Cavs are stuck signing players to minimum contracts and Mid-Level-Exceptions (MLE).

Adding a front court player like David West could be an option for the Cavs. West is at the point in his career where he wants to win a championship, which is why he signed with the San Antonio Spurs during last summer’s free agency period.

Smith, 35, took a reduced role with the Spurs, playing 18.0 minutes per game. He averaged 7.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game and shot 54.5 percent from the field. Adding Smith would give the Cavs another viable front court option, especially to play alongside Frye in a small-ball lineup.

Richard Jefferson retired before the Cavs championship parade, only to say that he would come back for one more year if the fans wanted him back. But the Cavs will still have to pay him. He signed for a minimum $1.5 million salary last offseason and likely will do the same if he does return.

James Jones and Mo Williams could also return to the Cavs for a veteran’s minimum salary. Offering minimum salaries will have to be the key for the Cavs to retaining a veteran presence on the team with players that can play a versatile role off the bench.

Next: Cleveland Cavaliers: How The Crazy NBA Draft Impacts The Cavs

Overall, the Cavs are going to be bringing back a large part of their core. Guys like LeBron, Love, Irving and Thompson will return. The key will be bringing back Smith and incorporating Felder into the rotations. From there it’s filling out the roster and bringing in veteran players.