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2018 NBA Free Agency: Ranking the Cleveland Cavaliers top 25 options

By Nathan Beighle

HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 9: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets talks with LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers on NOVEMBER 9, 2017 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 9: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets talks with LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers on NOVEMBER 9, 2017 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – FEBRUARY 13: LeBron James
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – FEBRUARY 13: LeBron James /

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been at the forefront of trade rumors, yet the 2018 NBA free agency period will be the easier way to improve.

Like many other teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers have major cap restrictions. Those restrictions will certainly hinder them from signing top-tier free agents during the 2018 NBA free agency period, which started six hours ago.

That said, bear with me. I’ll be trying to update those that have been signed as they’re reported, since many will also opt in before the official start of free agency. However, players can’t officially sign till July 6. So, while the “signings” matter, they aren’t set in stone regardless of what’s reported.

At the same time, the Cavs can make room for a player they feel can noticeably shrink the gap between Cleveland and Golden State. Insert players like Chris Paul and Paul George. Players that can change the identity of the team just with their presence.

However, the Cavaliers, behind Koby Altman, will be smart with their money and where it goes, meaning they shouldn’t plan to sign any big-name restricted free agents such as Clint Capela.

Also, players that would command significant money and give insignificant contributions are also off the board. That includes players like Trevor Ariza, assuming he wants a $60 million contract. If he’d take less, then that would be a possibility.

At the end of this free agency period, we should see a much clearer picture of the Cavaliers and what their team will look like.

For Cleveland, all eyes will be on “The Decision: Part III,” making their No. 1 free agency option quite obvious.

That being said, let’s get into the top 25 free agency targets for the Cleveland Cavaliers.