3 free agents 25 or under for Cavs to pursue in free agency
Free agents 25 or under for Cavs to pursue: Thomas Bryant
Thomas Bryant was a very popular young center a few seasons ago, brimming with potential and a gifted offensive force already. Then injuries struck, limiting him to just 37 games the past two seasons and 83 the past three. The Wizards look like they will let him walk in free agency.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a long-term starter at center in Jarrett Allen, a pair of 4s in Evan Mobley and Lauri Markkanen that could slide down as stretch 5s in a pinch, and Sixth Man of the Year finalist Kevin Love bombing away as Allen’s backup. They don’t need another center necessarily.
Yet the Cavs saw what happened last season when Allen was injured, and the available options just could not hold down the fort, especially against larger centers. That opens the door for the Cavs to add a third-string center who can step up when needed but isn’t established enough to expect regular playing time.
That most likely will be a veteran guy, like Ed Davis last season. Robin Lopez is a popular option, and other players such as Hassan Whiteside, Dewayne Dedmon and Gorgui Dieng could be signed too.
Yet the Cavs could also watch and see how the market shakes out; if a guy like Thomas Bryant, still very young but with a depressed value due to his injury history, is left without a home, he could join the Cavs on the minimum and prove his value. If things work out, he can stick around the team and grow into the backup role behind Allen.
Next. If asked, should Cavs trade Evan Mobley for Kevin Durant?. dark
The Cavs don’t have a lot of ammunition in free agency this summer, but they may try to add a player or two. If they can add one of these players 25 and under it’s possible that players not only works out this season, but grows on them moving forward and becomes a part of the core.