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3 potential buyout candidates for the Cavaliers to sign

By Matthew Fagan

The Cleveland Cavaliers bench reacts in-game. (Photo by Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)
The Cleveland Cavaliers bench reacts in-game. (Photo by Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images /

Cavaliers buyout candidates: Mason Plumlee

With the way the Cavs roster is constructed currently, only Jarrett Allen and Robin Lopez are listed as true centers for the team. Everyone else that has filled in at the center position has either played the 4 or the 5 throughout the season, like Evan Mobley or Kevin Love. What Cleveland needs is more depth at the five.

As a team second from the bottom in the Eastern Conference standings, the Charlotte Hornets are a team that could look to move on from some players in order to jumpstart a rebuild of sorts. The Cavs should have their eyes on veteran big man Mason Plumlee. Since the Hornets have a decent collection of bigs that have shown potential, and with Plumlee on an expiring $9 million dollar contract, it makes sense the Hornets would look to move on from Mason.

Although he’s at the end of his contract and a potential buyout candidate, Plumlee still puts up serviceable numbers. Per basketball reference, Charlotte’s big man is averaging a per game stat line of 12.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. That’s a fairly impressive stat line, especially at 32 years old.

Plumlee himself even appears to be reading the tea leaves when it comes to a potential move. Plumlee was quoted saying: “If they want to move on, that’s a business decision. But it’s not really tough by the time you get to this point in your career.”

Mason Plumlee’s role on this team would be a backup center. Playing in lineups with the likes of Rubio, LeVert, Dean Wade, and Kevin Love, Plumlee would provide some stability on the defensive end of the ball. Although, with only a year left in his contract, it’s not certain the Cavs would look to resign him after the season. So Cleveland would need to be sure Plumlee could provide an immediate impact.

While Plumlee would be a good target for Cleveland if he were bought out by the Hornets, there’s a chance things might become more involved. If the Cavs were to call the Hornets up to discuss a move for Mason, according to league sources, Charlotte would start the asking price at a couple of second-round picks and a player or two. It’s likely the Hornets do not find the return they’re looking for on Plumlee and are put into a situation where the center is bought out.

While Mason Plumlee is having a solid year for a 32-year-old big man at the end of his contract. If the Cavs can get lucky and take advantage of the buyout market, he could provide decent depth for the bigs on the team. However, it remains to be seen if a move to the Cavs would truly be the solution as they look ahead to a potential run in the playoffs. Let’s look ahead at two more buyout candidates.