3 players the Cavs can sign with the Mid-Level Exception
3 players the Cavs can sign with the Mid-Level Exception: Gary Payton II
The story has been repeated a million times over the course of the season and especially during the playoffs, but prior to this past season the Golden State Warriors were deciding how to use their 15th and final roster spot. Did they go for a veteran in Avery Bradley, an unproven option in Gary Payton II, or leave it open for luxury tax savings?
The Warriors’ front office went with Payton, and the rest is history. He has been a huge part of their success this season, and whether you call him “The Mitten” or “The Gauntlet” or “The Glove 2.0” his defense and ability to generate turnovers has been legendary, and he has been an asset offensively as well.
Payton averaged 1.4 steals per game in just 17.6 minutes; that translates to 2.8 steals per 36 minutes. That 2.8 number led all players this season (minimum 1,000 minutes played) and ranked seventh among all players the last 20 years. He is a disruptive, thieving machine on defense. He can defend multiple positions, he rebounds well and his cutting and willingness to shoot from outside make him a wildly valuable player overall.
He could start for the Cavs at the 2, and between Payton and Isaac Okoro the Cavs would have a high-level defender at the 2 for the entire game. If the Cavs do retain Sexton or add another guard he can defend up the positional spectrum as well, and his cutting around Garland or Evan Mobley‘s passing would be lethal.
Next. Playing keep, trade or cut with the entire Cavs roster of players. dark
Any of these three players would be a great addition to what the Cavs are building, but each is likely going to cost the full midlevel exception. If the Cavs do have access to it this summer they should go after a player they know can handle the crucible of the playoffs, setting the stage to compete on that level for the first time in years.