The Cleveland Cavaliers are good enough to compete for a title. There are reasons to downplay that reality, from this team’s lack of playoff experience to the elite competition in the Eastern Conference. Yet looking at their performance this season, the Cavs certainly look the part of a contender.
Contenders for the title are prime landing spots for players on the buyout market, and the Cavs can offer a small role and a spot on a good team. They also will have a few roster slots available for next season and could re-sign on of these players. Which wings on the buyout market could help fill the Cavs’ need at the 3?
Wing for the Cavaliers on buyout market: Terrence Ross
The Cavaliers kicked the tires on an awful lot of shooters prior to the NBA Trade Deadline, from Malik Beasley to Tim Hardaway Jr. to Doug McDermott. They elected not to pull the trigger, but they could instead elect to sign a shooter like Terrence Ross to come in and be their movement shooter.
The good news is that Ross is indeed being waived after negotiating a buyout with the Orlando Magic. From our list of buyout candidates before the Trade Deadline, he’s the only one to make it to the market. The bad news is that the Dallas Mavericks have emerged as a frontrunner to sign him; apparently, Dallas is no longer interested in playing any defense, whatsoever. Even so, an expectation is not a done deal, and right now Ross could still be wooed by the Cavs.
If Ross is off the board, perhaps Seth Curry hits the market, or Bryn Forbes can come aboard.
Wing for the Cavaliers on buyout market: Danny Green
We discussed Danny Green‘s potential in an earlier piece, but it’s worth continuing to discuss because Green is an absolutely perfect fit. The Cavaliers most need championship experience, a high-volume movement shooter and a 2-way wing to play the 3.
Danny Green is all three of those things; or at least, he is if he is fully recovered from his ACL tear. He probably won’t be at 100 percent until next season, but if he can be close to that by the playoffs, his impact on this team could be tremendous.
Green is a career 39.9 percent 3-point shooter for his career, and he has set records for his shooting in the playoffs and NBA Finals. He was developed in San Antonio and went on to win titles as a key starter with the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers. He has played in 165 career playoff games, over twice as many as the entire Cavaliers’ rotation combined.
The lingering effects of his knee injury are a concern for the 35 year-old Green, but the Cavs should try to keep him around next season and let him finish out his late-prime playing for them.
Wing for the Cavaliers on buyout market: Justin Holiday
The final wing option for the Cavaliers on the buyout market does not have as much name value. That is, he doesn’t have as much name value on his own, but you may have heard of his brother, Jrue Holiday, an All-Star with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Justin Holiday is not the on-ball phenom defensive that is brother is, but he is a solid team defender who has been in the league for nine years and learned how to survive. On offense, he is an above-average shooter in a low-usage role. His athleticism has declined and he doesn’t offer any on-ball creation, but he’s a reliable wing to plug in when needed off the bench.
Holiday was playing for the Atlanta Hawks this year before he was dumped on the Houston Rockets in a salary-reducing move. He should be available on the market and without too much competition given his low-profile career.
Danny Green is a perfect fit, Justin Holiday a fine addition, and the movement shooters in between would fill one need while opening up others. None of these players will redefine the Cavs’ season, but any of them could help in a game or two in the playoffs and with an open roster spot the Cavs should make use of that chance.