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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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DALLAS, TX – FEBRUARY 10: Brook Lopez #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes the ball inside against Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first half at American Airlines Center on February 10, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – FEBRUARY 10: Brook Lopez #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes the ball inside against Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first half at American Airlines Center on February 10, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

No. 16: Brook Lopez

Alright, imagine Brook Lopez and Kevin Love as your team’s frontcourt, two three-point shooting bigs, one with length and one with stellar rebounding instincts. Accompanied by LeBron James (hopefully), what more can you ask for?

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Just like KCP, Lopez was a Laker last season.

However, instead of $17.7 million, Lopez made well over $20 million, a larger contract that Cleveland would never even consider.

His numbers, though, certainly didn’t match up. He averaged just 13.0 points per game, his lowest per game average since his rookie season. Overall, Lopez’s season was a colossal failure. His percentages were down, his averages were way down and his team struggled.

Entering his 11th season, Lopez has sadly only made the postseason twice, being knocked out in the opening round both times. It’s time for the sacrifice. Just like Jeff Green did last season, it’s time for Lopez to sign a contract, prove his worth, and compete for a ring.

Lopez would be forced to step out on guards much more often, but if he can learn to defend the perimeter, Cleveland would be able to return him to his dynamic offensive self.