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5 free agents the Cavs should sign to fill out the roster

By Quenton S. Albertie

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 9: Richard Jefferson #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 9, 2017 at The 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 9: Richard Jefferson #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 9, 2017 at The 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – JULY 2: Ike Nwamu #51 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the 2018 California Classic on July 2, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – JULY 2: Ike Nwamu #51 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the 2018 California Classic on July 2, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Ike Nwamu

Ike Nwamu is a 25-year-old guard who possesses outstanding athleticism and is a rocket-launcher behind-the-arc. At 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, Nwamu is a tenacious defender capable guarding 1-3 though he’s at his best defending players in the backcourt.

For a bit of background, Nwamu spent the past two seasons with the NBA G-League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce after going undrafted in 2016. Nwamu, a high school sensation because of his highlight reel dunks, would start his career at Cleveland State University before transferring to Mercer University after his freshman year. He would transfer to UNLV for his senior season after leading Mercer in points per game (15.1) as a junior.

At UNLV, Nwamu had the third-highest scoring average on the team (11.4). Out of the four other players to average at least ten points per game (and no player averaged at least 15.0 points per game) that season, three — Patrick McCaw, Derrick Jones Jr. and Stephen Zimmerman Jr. — have made it to an NBA roster while two (McCaw and Zimmerman Jr.) were drafted.

Nonetheless, after not being drafted despite his elite physical profile and career 37.4 percent shooting from behind the arc, Nwamu would make the best of his opportunity and has averaged 11.8 points per game on 41.2 percent shooting from the field, 35.5 percent shooting from three and 81.8 percent shooting from the charity stripe in the last two seasons for the NBA G-League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce.

He averaged 14.5 points per game on 42.2 percent shooting from the field, 36.4 percent shooting from three (8.4 three-point attempts per game) and 82.9 percent from the charity stripe for the Skyforce last season.

(Note: Former Cav DeAndre Liggins was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year with the Skyforce.)

Nwamu doesn’t have the off-the-dribble scoring ability to be much more than a slasher and three-point threat nor does he possess a playmaker’s mentality. He is, however, a player who makes a living playing off-ball and with the questionable durability of sharpshooter Kyle Korver and uncertain future of J.R. Smith, Nwamu is a player whose skillset could be used sooner rather than later.

There’s an added benefit to Nwamu’s game in that he can both lead and finish fast breaks. A team that wants to play fast would love a player like Nwamu. As would the crowd.

As for his character, speaking from personal experience, Nwamu is a great person. His primary focus is basketball and won’t surround himself with questionable crowds or fail to take his opportunity seriously.

He would be a great fit in the locker room now and in the future.

Related Story: The case against the Cavs making any trades

*All stats gathered from www.basketball-reference.com and basketball.realgm.com