The Cleveland Cavaliers may go on to win their first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, or they might lose. Whatever the outcome, the long-term future of this group will depend on upgrading the role players around their core stars in order to build the best version of a contender that they can. In the Cavs’ Game 1 loss, the Knicks’ role players stepped up, while the Cavs struggled to find contributors.
Some pending free agents made a lot of noise this past weekend in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs, putting together big performances to help boost their future earnings. Which players should the Cavs consider pursuing in free agency this summer? It starts with the potential return of a franchise icon.
“Game 1” Star No. 1: Kevin Love, Miami Heat
Kevin Love had a rough regular season, whether for the Cavaliers or upon joining the Miami Heat. His role on the Heat was explainable, even if he didn’t play well enough to earn it. That is, not until the playoffs began, and Love turned into a high-end caricature of himself.
Love had 18 points in 23 minutes in the Miami Heat’s upset of the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks. He went 4-for-7 from 3-point range; the Bucks’ bigs went a combined 0-for-12 from deep. Love pulled in eight rebounds and drew multiple charges. Shooting, rebounding, drawing charges – it was the Kevin Love experience to the extreme.
Kevin Love negotiated a buyout from the Cavs because J.B. Bickerstaff chose Dean Wade in the rotation over Love. That decision hasn’t worked out, and while there are reasons to believe Wade can still thrive if given the chance, right now Cleveland could really use some offense in the frontcourt coming off the bench. A reunion with Love in free agency is not out of the question.
“Game 1” Star No. 2: Josh Hart, New York Knicks
When the New York Knicks played RJ Barrett in their Game 1 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Knicks were outscored by 13 points. When Josh Hart was on the court (sometimes with Barrett, but largely as his replacement) the Knicks outscored the Cavs instead. Despite his inconsistent outside shot, Hart’s contributions across the board were a key part of the Knicks’ victory.
Hart has the kind of motor every coach (and fan) loves, constantly moving and fighting and scrapping and winning. Despite standing just 6’5″ he has become a monster on the glass, averaging 7.8 rebounds per game this season. In Game 1 he upped the ante, pulling down 10 rebounds, including five Cavs-killing offensive boards.
Far from a one trick pony, Hart also scored 17 points on a hyper-efficient 8-of-11 from the field, including a neat 1-for-2 from downtown. Despite coming off of the bench he played 33 minutes, just a few seconds behind Julius Randle for the Knicks’ lead.
Hart has a player option this summer for $12 million, and he will almost certainly elect to hit free agency and secure a larger payday. The Knicks will be motivated to keep him, but if they are able to line up a trade for a top-line star there might not be financial space for Hart.
The Cavs would fight for their place in line to sign Hart to the full MId-Level Exception, which should start close to $12 million and get up to $49 million over four years. Hart may have a larger market, especially if he keeps balling out, but his size and rebounding at the 3 would make him a great fit, especially if his outside shot can normalize.
“Game 1” Star No. 3: Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers
The most surprising Game 1 star of the weekend has to be Rui Hachimura. Something of the forgotten man on the Lakers, for about a week or two he was supposed to be the big trade deadline addition to save their season. Then the Lakers added Jarred Vanderbilt, D’Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley and Hachimura was relegated to an afterthought.
Not so on Sunday, as Hachimura had the best game of his career against the Memphis Grizzlies. After hitting just 29 percent of his 3-pointers with the Lakers this season, Hachimura went off for 5-of-6 shooting from deep in Game 1. He was also 5-of-5 at the rim, leading to 29 points in just 30 minutes to lead the Lakers in scoring.
If Hachimura can shoot anything like this on a consistent basis, suddenly the rest of his game falls into place. He has decent size defensively, he is a gifted interior scorer and could serve as an offensively-gifted backup big for the Cavs. He may not be a perfect fit, but if he can shoot above league average the fit suddenly works out.
None of these players are the perfect solution to what the Cavs need, but with just the Mid-Level Exception to offer they won’t be able to find such a player. Instead, these players are displaying their upside on the biggest stage, and that’s worth a second look from the Cavaliers. Perhaps one of them will find their way to Cleveland this summer.