Cavs Top 6 Free Agent Forward Targets

Feb 25, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Derrick Williams (3) slam dunks as Chicago Bulls forward Cristiano Felicio (6) defends during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Derrick Williams (3) slam dunks as Chicago Bulls forward Cristiano Felicio (6) defends during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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F/C Brandon Bass

2016-17 stats (52 games):

5.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.2 blocks per game

57.5 FG%, 33.3 percent 3PT%, 87.5 FT%

What he can bring to the Cleveland Cavaliers:

Defense, shooting, athleticism, veteran savvy

I’ll be completely honest with you.

I’ve considered Brandon Bass a great player for a long time and after finding out he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers for the veteran’s minimum last season, I think he’d be a great signing for the veteran’s minimum next season.

I’m talking about for the Cleveland Cavaliers of course.

Bass is a player who, like Tristan Thompson, has the mobility to step out and defend on the perimeter while having the size to defend in the post. At 32-years-old Bass’ leaping ability is still explosive, which shows just how incredible of an athlete he truly was when he arrived in the league.

With his athleticism, expect to see him finishing above-the-rim a lot inside whether he’s receiving a lob pass, trying to finish from a dump pass or it’s a putback attempt.

That leaping ability, and what’s nearly a 7-foot-3 wingspan, allows Bass to be a solid rim-protector despite being undersized at 6-foot-8.

Bass, who has been coached by Avery Bradley, Stan Van Gundy and Doc Rivers, has tremendous defensive ability and technique, thanks to nine seasons (Bass has played 12) under the tutelage of some of the top defensive coaches in the modern era.

For the Cleveland Cavaliers, putting Bass’ mobility beside Channing Frye and Kevin Love, whether he plays the 4 or 5, will be akin to putting Thompson next to them. Because of Bass’ ability to stretch the floor, the Cleveland Cavaliers could even play Bass next to Thompson at times and give them a great defensive duo in the frontcourt.

Speaking of Bass’ ability to stretch the floor. At the power forward position, Bass isn’t the type of three-point shooter the Cavs would like but will have much better athleticism, mobility and defense than Frye or Love. However, he can also slide down to center and the spacing he would provide at the 5 would make it that much easier for James and Kyrie Irving to dominate, especially if he’s playing beside Frye or Love.

He has the mobility, rim-protection and shooting ability that will make him a dynamic player at the 5. However, he’s a power forward.

Bass can ball.

Related Story: The Cavs' Top 6 Free Agent Forward Targets

What do you think of the Cleveland Cavaliers options at forward? Are there any names you would have put on the list or left off? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.

*All statistics gathered from www.basketball-reference.com