Cavs: 3 free agents to pursue after Lauri Markkanen signing

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Kyle Guy, Sacramento Kings. Photo by Ben Green/Getty Images /

Cavs: 3 free agents to pursue after Lauri Markkanen signing – Kyle Guy

It’s rare for a player to ball out in NBA Summer League these days and be available for other times to sign. The addition of two-way contracts means that the talent pool has been thoroughly mined. If a player does unexpectedly show out, the team they play for has the inside track to keep them in-house.

Kyle Guy might be an exception after playing well for the Golden State Warriors in Summer League. Golden State, a team with expectations to contend for a title, is already at its limit of young players and already has a point guard in Chris Chiozza in a two-way slot.

Guy won a national championship at the University of Virginia (props to our fellow Cavaliers – the only mascot to win titles in the NBA and the NCAA this century). The Sacramento Kings made a draft-day trade to take Guy with the 55th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and he has been on a two-way contract with them ever since.

There were no fireworks for Guy in Summer League, but he was arguably the Warriors’ best player besides their two lottery picks in Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. The point guard shot well from deep (36.7 percent), swiped a steal per game despite only averaging 20.7 minutes per game, and overall earned another shot at an NBA contract. He needs to go from a decent shooter to a great one, but that’s very reasonable given his free-throw shooting and college profile.

Guy would be a great addition on a two-way deal, or as their 15th player. Having a third point guard in case Darius Garland or Ricky Rubio miss games due to injury makes sense, and if the Cavs move on from Rubio this offseason Guy could be an option to replace him behind Garland.

Next. 3 lineups with Lauri Markkanen they should try. dark

Whether the Cavs go for a defensive big, a wing shooter or a backcourt ball-handler, this rotation still has needs to be met in free agency. Lauri Markkanen is a talented addition, but he doesn’t solve all the problems that the Cavs, as with any rebuilding team, still have.