Cleveland Cavaliers: Have To Pick Two Of Deron Williams, Derrick Williams, Larry Sanders or Andrew Bogut?

The Cleveland Cavaliers face a dilemma. If Deron Williams clears waivers, the team is expected to sign him. Then they’ll have one roster spot for Derrick Williams, Larry Sanders or Andrew Bogut.

According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, Deron Williams is expected to sign with the team if he clears waivers after being released from the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday afternoon.

Williams, a three-time All-Star, is the type of point guard insurance the Cavs would love the luxury of having if Kyrie Irving went down. Williams isn’t nearly the scorer or ball-handler that Irving is but he’s an able scorer, an above-average ball-handler and a better facilitator.

That Williams will be signed seems inevitable as the Cavs are unable to play a second unit lineup without one of the Big Three. Williams will set up shooters, foray to the rim or knock down long twos off of screens. Williams, who is 6-foot-3, 200 pounds and knocking down 37.8 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes will also be able to play in lineups with Irving and be a facilitator for the Big Three themselves.

With that said, do they sign Derrick Williams, Larry Sanders or Andrew Bogut with the last remaining roster spot?

Williams (D-Thrill) clearly fits on this team. He fills the holes on the floor defensively with hustle, athleticism, defensive awareness and the ability to guard all five positions. Williams also knocks down open threes and is a player the defense has to pay attention to as he attacks the rim in the open court or in the halfcourt offense.

Essentially, Williams is a player that when combined with LeBron James (who could help him develop into what a second overall pick is supposed to look like) gives the Cavs the most versatile roster in the NBA. A roster able to play small-ball, bully-ball or small-ball bully-ball.

That’s why Williams, who just signed a second 10-day contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, is expected to remain on the team.

The conversation about needing a rim-protector quelled after the signing of Williams because his defensive ability allowed the Cavs to contain much of the troubling perimeter penetration. Nonetheless, the Cavs would still be smart to find a player to be insurance for Tristan Thompson. Thompson, who should be the fourth member of a Big Three – or Fearsome Foursome, rather – is an elite rebounder that’s able to guard multiple positions. He’s a big communicator on the floor, an underrated passer and has uncanny basketball IQ.

That’s why the Cleveland Cavaliers have interest in both Bogut and Sanders. However, unless they waive Jordan McRae, it’s hard to see them on the team because while D-Will is expected to sign and be welcomed by a point guard-needy team in championship contention, D-Thrill is playing well and is extremely useful for the Cavs as a matter of fact, not just a theory.

In my opinion though, McRae should be waived because he won’t be too useful in the playoffs with a D-Will signing. However, I prefer Sanders over Bogut because of Sanders’ youth, athleticism, potential. In addition, Bogut has had verbal jabs directed towards James and the jovial Sanders has never had problems with the current Cavs.

Do the Cavs cut McRae, a player that they like on and off-the-court?

He will be a restricted free agent this offseason and one team could bite on his scoring potential and offer him a contract they don’t want to match. Plus, a rim-protector and Thompson-insurance for the playoffs is more useful than a raw volume shooter.

Related Story: Pros and Cons Of Every Buyout Target For The Cavs

What would you do if you were the Cleveland Cavaliers? Let us know in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.