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

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CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 16: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers guards Ekpe Udoh #33 of the Utah Jazz during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on December 16, 2017 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kevin Love; Ekpe Udoh /

Added all-around defense

Cauley-Stein’s contributions probably won’t lead to a ton of jersey sales, as he’s averaged just 9.4 points per game for his career, and is not a three-point threat. In terms of winning basketball games, though, he would be a valuable piece to a Cleveland team looking to get younger and more athletic, particularly on the defensive end.

He hasn’t quite taken off yet as a player, but could be ripe for a career year, and would be worth a prove-it-deal. Of course, with Cauley-Stein being a restricted free agent going into the 2019-20 season, the Sacramento Kings could match an offer sheet he signs with the Cavs.

Cauley-Stein is a fluid athlete that moves well guarding opposing primary ball-handlers, even at 7-foot-0 and 240 pounds. That’s mainly why he has a notable defensive box plus-minus of plus-1.4 over three seasons, per Basketball Reference.

Even though Nance is a solid pick-and-roll defender in switchouts, he’s not nearly as effective as Cauley-Stein. The latter with his 7-foot-3 wingspan would allow the Cavs to stay at home more often against opposing spot-up threats, and that would enable Cleveland to hide Love more defensively, as he wouldn’t have to switch on to perimeter players as frequently.

Nance does an admirable job against perimeter ball-handlers, but he’s generally better as a help defender with good team defensive instincts resulting in deflections. Although he hasn’t been quite the dominating rim protector some scouts thought he could be in his first three NBA seasons, Cauley-Stein does still have the measurables to be one in the near future.

He does still have a respectable 1.3 blocks per 36 minutes for his career, and with Cleveland not having a viable rim protector on the roster right now, his potential would be a welcome addition. Tristan Thompson and Nance have their moments, but they don’t really prevent opponent drives. Along with that rim protection, Cauley-Stein did have a respectable 7.0 rebounds in 28.0 minutes per game in 2017-18, which could help out Love.

Another young rolling 5

Combined with his defense, in what will be going into his age-26 season, Cauley-Stein could be a younger and better alternative to Thompson (who the Cavs could potentially trade by the end of next season) as a rolling threat. Sexton, Osman and others would find a number of easy assists with Cauley-Stein’s ability to go up and get even off-target lob passes. Combined with Nance’s rim-rattling, that could provide Cleveland with two really good lob threats as 5’s on the floor at all times.

Although he can get carried away with shooting tough shots sometimes, Cauley-Stein has shown improvement in the midrange game. Last season, he hit 43.4 percent of his shots from 16 feet to the three-point arc (which constituted 14.6 percent of his shots), per Basketball Reference.

Combined with a career 68.6 percent mark on attempts 0-3 rim from the rim, that budding midrange jumper could be a nice wrinkle to Cleveland’s offense, along with Cauley-Stein’s passing ability. Last year, he displayed some secondary playmaking prowess, with an assist rate of 13.5 percent, per nba.com.

For a second mid-level target, Cleveland could look to add a floor-spacer in current Detroit Piston Reggie Bullock.