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3 Cleveland Charge standouts the Cavs could sign in free agency

By Josh Cornelissen

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 26: Jamorko Pickett #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses for a photo during Media Day at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on September 26, 2022 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)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 26: Jamorko Pickett #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses for a photo during Media Day at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on September 26, 2022 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) /
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Cavs
Sharife Cooper, Atlanta Hawks. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images /

3 Cleveland Charge standouts Cavs could sign in FA: Sharife Cooper

In making a list of the best players in the G League thus far this season you would be forced to mention Sharife Cooper, who has been absolutely balling out for the Charge. He has played in every game this season, averaging 34.9 minutes per game and leading the offense.

He is averaging 27.9 points per game, 6.3 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals. His speed in knifing into defenses has been nearly unstoppable at the G-League level, and his court vision is special. The problem with Cooper has been his shooting, but in the admittedly small sample size of eight games he is shooting 46.8 percent from 3-point range and 80.6 percent from the line.

The Cavs have used an interesting approach when Darius Garland or Donovan Mitchell have been forced to miss time, handing the ball to the other and playing more wings off the bench. The problem is that they don’t have a ton of useful wings. If they added Cooper, they would have an emergency point guard who could be deployed in double-PG lineups with Garland or Mitchell.

Cooper is far from a perfect prospect, with his 5.3 turnovers per game and his limited defense. Yet players who can competently run an offense are valuable in the NBA, and if Cooper’s shot can truly stabilize at an above-average level, he deserves another shot in the league.