Cleveland Cavaliers: Three players they could sign with the 2019 MLE

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CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 08: Head coach Tyronn Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on against the Golden State Warriors in the first half during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t sign anyone with their mid-level exception, so they could add a nice player (or multiple players) in 2019 with that $8.6 million.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, and every NBA team for that matter, should always look to add more talent. Given that they don’t project as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference for the next few years, they should be focusing on upgrading their roster via the draft, G-League scouting, and free agency. Going into the 2019-20 season, the free agency talent pool with be loaded, to say the least.

With that, teams will be more willing to spend than they were this summer. Nonetheless, Cleveland is probably not one of the teams who are going to grab a marquee player such as Klay Thompson or Kawhi Leonard.

For as good of a player as Kevin Love is, he’s not likely to draw great players simply by himself. He’s probably not the same player he once was with the Minnesota Timberwolves. That doesn’t mean Cleveland can’t make things happen in reference to continuing to add to their roster, though. Collin Sexton, Cedi Osman, and Larry Nance Jr. and Rodney Hood, if they choose to re-sign, are a nice young group to build with around Love even without a huge-name free agent coming aboard.

If Hood (which has a $6.6 million cap hold, per HoopsHype) can work out a deal with Cleveland to not dip too far into the mid-level exception, the Cavs would have more cap flexibility, especially if they waive George Hill, J.R. Smith and Kyle Korver.

According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, they also have a $3.4 bi-annual exception, and three trade exceptions valued at $2.5M, $1.4M and $1.3 million. That extra cash could be useful, too.

As far as the first mid-level target, the Cavs sign the Kings’ Willie Cauley-Stein to an offer sheet.