3 free agents the Cavs should have signed this summer

3 free agents the Cavs should have signed this summer: T.J. Warren

The Cavs have an extremely solid foundation between Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, but figuring out how to build around them has been an exercise in slightly ill-fitting parts. Lauri Markkanen is a seven-footer playing the 3 because he can provide some spacing; Caris LeVert was a big investment at the trade deadline to try and get secondary playmaking and scoring.

Adding a player like T.J. Warren could help meet both of those needs while plugging a more natural small forward in at the 3. The former Phoenix Suns and Indiana Pacers forward has developed his shot into a true weapon, and he hit 40.3 percent of his 3-pointers his last healthy year with the Pacers.

He is also a dangerous scoring threat, averaging at least 18 points per game across his last three full seasons. He can score with the ball in his hands as a secondary shot creator, and he is deadly off of cuts and as a spot-up shooter. He would be a great offensive fit with Garland and provide most of, if not all, of the spacing Markkanen was bringing to the table.

Warren ultimately signed a veteran’s minimum to recoup his value with the Brooklyn Nets. If the Cavs had prioritized him it seems likely they could have had him, and he could be boosting the Cavs and potentially becoming a long-term piece if he can prove he is healthy.