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Cleveland Cavaliers: Top 5 free agents remaining

By Matthew Beighle

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 3: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets dunks the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 3, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 3: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets dunks the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 3, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 27: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics glides to the basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics on May 27, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 27: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics glides to the basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics on May 27, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Marcus Smart (Restricted)

Marcus Smart is a career role player that does a plethora of quality stats. He has plenty of veteran leadership to the already copious amounts of role players the Cavaliers have on their roster.

Smart was an excellent second team leader this year for the Celtics, playing behind Kyrie Irving. Smart’s stats roughly resemble those of Nicholas Batum. He averages 10.2 ppg, 4.8 apg, 3.5 rpg, and 1.3 apg.

Marcus Smart offers a great value for his price. He currently makes an average of $3.7 million per year. This would give the Cavaliers the opportunity to let Rodney Hood and George Hill continue to develop under new backcourt leadership.

However, with that restricted title, the Celtics have the opportunity to match the contract he gets and negate everything. With contracts like Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown on the horizon, they’ll most likely be letting Smart walk if he’s offered upwards of $12 million.

Smart is a hard-nosed defender and personifies the entire work ethic and grit of Cleveland. He might be the scoring option the Cavs crave, but he will certainly put the effort in to be worth that $12 million.