Playing “Pass or Keep” with the Cavs future free agents
Playing “Pass or Keep” with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ future free agents.
With free agency only a few weeks a way, it’s time to start looking at what the Cleveland Cavaliers will do this offseason. To start, the Cavs need to address their situations with their own future free agents.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are championship contenders who need more youth and athleticism but don’t have cap space. They won’t drop below the cap no matter who they re-sign or let go, it’s not about that.
It’s about opening roster spots for players who will be better fits moving forward.
Deron Williams
Pass or Keep: Pass
Deron Williams hasn’t been able to keep up. Outside of a stretch of games in the playoffs, he’s been ineffective on both ends. There are other veteran options, like Jose Calderon and Raymond Felton that will be free agents in the offseason if the Cavs want to go that route. Looking at Williams’ free agency from a purely financial standpoint, he’ll likely want more than the veteran’s minimum and though he’s no longer in his prime, there will be other teams willing to pay him more than $2.8 million to play for them.
If he is willing to play for the minimum, there’s a better option for him.
The Utah Jazz have interest and Williams and the feeling is mutual. Though he’s fit in fine with the Cavs, he’s no stranger to relocating. He owns a home in Salt Lake City, and there, he can return home and not have to worry about relocating anymore.
Kyle Korver
Pass or Keep: Keep
Kyle Korver has been an amazing shooter and, at times, a very solid team defender although he struggles one-on-one. He’s going to demand a fair salary in the NBA because of his shooting ability and his reputation throughout the league. Nonetheless, at this point, it’d be like paying Ray Allen $10 million a year to play.
With the Cavs having his Bird Rights, they could outbid any team for him.
The bigger worry with Korver is a foot injury he sustained late in the season. According to cleveland.com‘s Joe Vardon, Korver said he had that problem earlier in his career but it only took a week to heal. Korver gets 27.7 percent of his points coming off screens and as a result he does so much running throughout the course of the game trying to get open, it’s not unlikely that type of injury will occur again, especially at his age.
Derrick Williams
Pass or Keep: Keep
Derrick Williams already sounds like he’s committed to the Cavs long-term.
Via Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee:
"“The difference between this organization and others I’ve played in is we know which direction we’re going in. we know what the goal is each and every year, coming back individually better, playing together as a team, getting better as a team.”"
With that said, the Cleveland Cavaliers need to get serious about getting LeBron James rest. There’s no other player on the roster, or in free agency, whose physique, athletic abilities and defensive versatility is as similar to LeBron’s. With the physical tools he has, combined with his youth and willingness to learn, the Cavs have a player that can be molded a LeBron-like scorer and defender.
He’ll need to work on his shooting and finishing around the rim but he can be a valuable player for the Cavs.
Dahntay Jones
Pass or Keep: Keep
Dahntay Jones was missed last season. When James’ frustrations boil over, he’s inclined to point blame and Jones, like James Jones, serves as a buffer between James and those he’s sniped at.
He also helps keep players engaged in-game and in practice.
On the floor, Jones is a hustle player and solid defender who can make the open three-point shot. He won’t demand more than the veteran’s minimum.
James Jones
Pass or Keep: Keep if possible
James Jones only plans to play one more year in the NBA and while it would be nice to see him return, he’ll probably want to retire with the Miami Heat. Jones, a Miami-native and University of Miami alum, spent six seasons with the Heat franchise.
If the Cleveland Cavaliers have a chance to three-peat, Jones will likely want to return. If not, the Champ may lean towards a return home.
While being a gifted three-point shooter, Jones also has a valuable voice in the locker room and most importantly, James’ ear.
Edy Tavares
Pass or Keep: Keep
Where else are they going to find a 25-year-old shot-blocker who’s 7-foot-3 and on a minimum contract? When considering the issues the Cavs had in protecting the rim throughout the season, and the success the Cavs had with a similar center in Timofey Mozgov, retaining Edy Tavares would be wise.
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What do you think the Cleveland Cavaliers should do with their future free agents? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.