King James Gospel
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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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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 11: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 11: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

No. 7: Will Barton

The next two signings are purely for if James leaves. However, both could also take the MLE. That said, the playmaking scoring combo guard from Denver is up first.

Will Barton, the former Blazer, has turned it up a notch ever since leaving Portland. Barton made just $3.5 million last season yet scored 15.7 points per game. Barton had a career year yet had his lowest usage percentages in the last three seasons.

He’s learning to score efficiently, something Cleveland needs desperately.

Averaging almost two threes per game in addition to 5 rebounds and 4 assists make Barton a perfect player to either alleviate pressure off James or become a premier playmaking option for Cleveland.

At 6-foot-6, Barton would have great length for guarding smaller and bigger guards. Alongside George Hill, the Cavs backcourt could thrive defensively. A lineup with Hill, Barton, Cedi/Green/Smith/Korver, Love, and Thompson/Nance Jr. could certainly be playoff worthy in the lacking East.