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2018 NBA Free Agency: Cavaliers should target Wizards Mike Scott

By Nathan Beighle

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 22: Mike Scott #30 of the Washington Wizards posts up against Jeff Green #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on February 22, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Wizards defeated the Cavaliers 110-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 22: Mike Scott #30 of the Washington Wizards posts up against Jeff Green #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on February 22, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Wizards defeated the Cavaliers 110-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers will once again have a tight payroll this offseason. That said, they must target low-profile free agents like Mike Scott.

The 2018 NBA Free Agency will be one that could transform the NBA drastically. And, unless LeBron James decides to take his talents elsewhere, not much will change for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

For Cleveland, just like Jeff Green was in the 2017 offseason, they’ll need to find a diamond in the rough this offseason. That diamond is Mike Scott.

Scott has gone through two rotations of being recalled and assigned during his career, one during the 2012 season and one as recent as the 2016 season. Since then, he’s been traded and waived before finally signing in Washington where he found a home all throughout the 2017-2018 season.

Scott signed a one-year deal for just $1.7 million, about $1.6 million less per year than he made during his three-year contract split between the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns.

For the Wizards, Scott was the team’s backup power forward, backing up Markieff Morris. Scott stands 6-foot-8 and weighs a hefty 240 pounds. Scott’s just as tall as LeBron James and weighs just ten pounds less.

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In the time he was allotted, Scott was efficient, shot well from the field, and even stretched his range beyond the three-point line. Those three aspects all describe the perfect backup big for the Cavs three-point shooting system.

Scott averaged 8.8 points per game, but per 36 minutes, he scored 17.1 per game. Scott might not have gotten the minutes that he deserved; however, that doesn’t mean he was inefficient. Scott ended the season shooting over 50% from the field, a career-high for the six-year veteran.

In a career-high 18.5 minutes per game, Scott made 0.9 threes per game. Respectably shooting over 40% from deep, Scott’s value and versatility make him an ideal target for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have a handful of players becoming unrestricted free agents.

The Cavaliers could potentially lose Jeff Green and Jose Calderon, two players on the veteran’s minimum. Especially for Calderon, it’s likely he won’t be on his way back for his second season with the Cavaliers.

The spot for Mike Scott should be there. And, as long as there isn’t a team willing to dish him some real NBA money, then hopefully the Cleveland Cavaliers make a run for the veteran forward.

Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Cavaliers select Wendell Carter Jr.

The NBA Finals might show the Cavaliers that they need to get LeBron James more help, and while Mike Scott, by no means, is a flashy signing, he would certainly make his presence felt for the Cleveland Cavaliers.