One free agent target for Cavaliers from each remaining playoff team
Free Agent Target No. 1: Grant Williams, Boston Celtics
Grant Williams should be a surefire rotation player for the Boston Celtics. The fourth-year player out of Tennessee has grown into the perfect reserve big for Boston, playing incredibly smart and physical defense while shooting 39.5 percent from long-range this season. Yet inexplicably, Williams often found himself on the fringes of the rotation or out of it entirely at points this season, and again in the first round against the Atlanta Hawks. His defense against Joel Embiid has him back on the floor for Boston against Philadelphia, but that could change in an instant.
If that means the Celtics, a team looking at major luxury tax issues looming in its future under the new CBA, don’t want to prioritize him in free agency, Williams could be available. If he is, the Cavaliers need to at least offer the Full Mid-Level Exception to see if he is interested.
Some salty fans might remember Williams missing two free throws he promised he would hit in a late-season game against the Cavs, but on the whole, Williams would be an excellent addition. He could start some games at the 3 or play in jumbo lineups with Evan Mobley or Jarrett Allen, but then he would be the perfect fit alongside either as the power forward. He is stout enough to allow the Cavs to re-implement the big-man switching scheme they used to great effect with Lauri Markkanen a season ago.
Next. Trade or Fade with three proposed Cavaliers trade targets. dark
Williams will likely sign for more money than the Cavaliers can pay him, but other players on this list might well become available and be affordable. Who do the Cavs prioritize? That’s a question for later in the offseason. For now, it’s important to keep a close eye on these players who might just be available this summer.