2 potential reunions Cavs should explore this summer in free agency

It was painful to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers lose to the New York Knicks in five games in their first round series. New York obliterated Cleveland on the glass, made seemingly all the meaningful hustle plays, got big shots to fall when they needed them off their offensive rebounding, and the Cavs just fell short offensively.

One shouldn’t fall into the overreactionary line of thought from the series, and the now-past season, though. The Cavaliers had a heck of a regular season, and they made considerable progress, which shouldn’t be discounted.

Cleveland having the fourth-best record in a much-improved Eastern Conference was no small feat. The 2022-23 campaign was one the Wine and Gold can assuredly build on, and even with the playoff disappointment, it was something the team will learn from.

That said, it’s apparent the Cavaliers have to find some ways to keep improving. Another offseason for younger guys can and should make a difference, but it’s understandable for the Cavs to be seemingly in the market for wing help via trade and/or in free agency this summer.

Cleveland has the possible re-signing of Caris LeVert to think about, for one, however, Cleveland does have his Bird Rights for a new deal. From there, the Wine and Gold realistically should set to have the roughly $12.2 million non-taxpayer Mid-Level Exception.

With that MLE and/or via trade, of course the wing/shooting help is one thing, and this isn’t to suggest Cleveland shouldn’t do so, but finding more legitimacy in backup 4 and 5 wouldn’t hurt, either, by way of team-friendly deals. Two former Cavaliers could be solid adds, too, in that realm.

With that in mind, a couple of former Cavs would be sensible for the team to consider bringing back this summer.

We’ll begin with a player who will almost certainly have his number retired one day in the rafters at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.