What’s next for the Cleveland Cavaliers offseason

What’s next for the Cleveland Cavaliers as they attempt to shape their roster into its ideal form?

With 17 players currently on the Cleveland Cavaliers roster and a need to cut two players (likely Kay Felder and Edy Tavares, who can be signed to two-way contracts) to get the regular season roster down to the maximum limit of 15 players, it would seem like the Cavs roster should be finalized for the most part.

Yet, there have been numerous reports about Iman Shumpert’s availability, as well as Channing Frye’s.

With that said, Ante Zizic could easily be cut and signed to a two-way contract instead of Tavares or allowed to walk away. Zizic and Tavares are two young centers that the Cavs like but neither can be trusted to be regular rotation players with their youth and LeBron James’ willingness to re-sign seeming all too dependent on the Cavs success.

Trading Shumpert and Frye while waiving Zizic would open up three roster spots for the Cavs.

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That they’re keeping an eye out on New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony and Chicago Bulls shooting guard Dwyane Wade, both members of the 2003 NBA draft class selected in the top-five and perennial All-Stars, isn’t surprising.

Anthony probably won’t become available any time soon, with no trade scenario for Anthony working thus far for the Cavs’ and the Knicks’ unwillingness to buy Anthony out of his contract. If Anthony was to be signed, his offensive skillset would be a fine compliment beside James, Kevin Love, Jae Crowder or Jeff Green. Unlike the Cavs’ other forwards sans James, Anthony is what you would call a “professional scorer”. While many players are capable of being the feature scorers on their team, a professional scorer is a player that can (1) lead his team in scoring; (2) hit extraordinary, difficult and clutch shots; and (3) create a large number of those shots for himself.

Even with proper respect given to James, Anthony is the more natural shooter, with James preferring to barrel his way to the rim with speed, quickness, agility and power.

Wade will likely reach a buyout agreement with the Bulls soon given how relations have fell apart between Wade and the Bulls’ young players.

Unless the Miami Heat swoop in to sign Wade, Wade is expected to sign with the Cavs following his buyout.

Without Isaiah Thomas’ offensive contributions at the beginning of the season, Wade’s efficient and savvy scoring will be beneficial. His passing ability, court vision enhanced by 14 years of service to the league, isn’t to be underestimated either. He’ll be a point guard-like playmaker in a second unit should Rose start, though it’s more likely would start in Thomas’ absence.

Both players would be of use to the Cavs and there would need to be a trade for both to be signed. According to Cody Taylor of Basketball Insiders, the New Orleans Pelicans have interest in trading for Shumpert. Sam Amico of AmicoHoops has reported that Shumpert has also drawn interest from the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors.

Must Read: At least three teams interested in Iman Shumpert

Now, say Frye is the last man standing out of the Cavs’ most expendable assets. Do the Cavs still trade him?

Given his lightning-quick strikes from behind the line, his chemistry with James on the court and his chemistry with the Cavs, in general, off of it, it’s hard to believe they will. However, when you think about Frye’s lead feet on defense and the fact elite teams deploy small lineups that feast on lineups lacking in athleticism, it’s easy to see why Frye would be on the trade block.

Still, according to Ashish Mathur of AmicoHoops, the Cavs have been taking calls on the Brooklyn Nets’ first overall pick and players like Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies and DeMarcus Cousins of the New Orleans Pelicans immediately come to mind as possible trade acquisitions.

In order to acquire any other player, the Cavs will have to trade a piece and the only feasible player to trade in a deal involving another All-Star is Kevin Love because of his elite talent and contract. Still, that’s a deal unlikely to take place until closer to the All-Star break and trade deadline, a time frame that could coincide with Isaiah Thomas’ first game of the season. As a result, the trade wouldn’t force the Cavs to alter their team on the fly any more than they would have had to with Thomas being inserted into the fold.

With a Big Three of Thomas, James and Gasol/Cousins, the Cavs would be able to combat the firepower and versatility of the Golden State Warriors in a NBA Finals rematch. With Jae Crowder, J.R. Smith, Derrick Rose in the fold and, possibly, Wade and Anthony as well, the Cavs would have more talent in their rotation than the Golden State Warriors.

Picture a rotation with Thomas and Rose at point guard; Smith, Wade and Kyle Korver at shooting guard; James, Crowder and Anthony at forward; and Cousins/Gasol and Thompson at center.

Beautiful, isn’t it?

If all goes to plan, that could be the rotation the Cavs have on the floor by the time the playoffs roll around.

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