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

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SAN ANTONIO,TX – APRIL 22 : Rudy Gay #22 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after scoring against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 22 , 2018 in San Antonio, 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. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

No. 18: Rudy Gay

A once prolific scoring option, Rudy Gay saw both his minutes and points per game take a significant drop this season. While his minutes were the least per game of his career, his scoring was just under his per game average during his rookie season.

Gay made just over $8 million last season. If his price continues at that rate, the Cavs could put their MLE together with a few other exceptions and make the money work.

At 6-foot-8, Gay has been an efficient scorer for most of his career, and there’s no reason to think he’s burned out at just 31. It’s time for Gay to find a home that’ll let him hoist up 15+ shots per game. In San Antonio, he averaged just 9.4, the lowest of his career and the first time since his rookie season he failed to his double-figure shot attempts per game.

Gay is the third scoring option Cleveland needs. With a career average of 17.9 points per game, the Cavs need Gay’s Swiss-army knife contribution.