King James Gospel
Fansided

2018 NBA Free Agency: 5 low-risk options still available for the Cleveland Cavaliers

ByNathan Beighle|
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 11: Michael Beasley #8 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 11, 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 David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 11: Michael Beasley #8 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 11, 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 David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
1 of 6
INDEPENDENCE, OH – JULY 26: Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert introduces new general manager Koby Altman during a press conference at The Cleveland Clinic Courts on July 26, 2016 in Independence, 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDEPENDENCE, OH – JULY 26: Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert introduces new general manager Koby Altman during a press conference at The Cleveland Clinic Courts on July 26, 2016 in Independence, 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Cleveland Cavaliers have yet to pick the direction they’re headed next season, and the 2018 NBA free agency could certainly aid them in deciding.

With the departure of LeBron James final, the Cleveland Cavaliers are destined for a season of mediocrity. Or so we thought.

As a matter of fact, Koby Altman and Dan Gilbert have both expressed their interest to keep the team relevant. There’s only one way to do that: Make the playoffs. In turn, that means not trading their all-star power forward/center, Kevin Love.

However, that also means that they’ll need to go out and sign some cheap yet productive talent. Those two attributes hardly ever go together when it comes to free agency, so it’ll be up to Altman and his staff to decide who to sign and for how much.

Another key to these decisions is youth.

The Cavs need to lock in solid role players and hope to land a superstar free agent in the 2019 offseason for a chance to be a real contender again. So, yes, the Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart-type players are still available, but heading into a season of turnover, the Cavs need to sign trustworthy, young talent.

That said, here are five low-risk options left for them in free agency.