3 budget wing free agents Cleveland Cavaliers could sign

After the Cleveland Cavaliers season ended, President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman expressed his belief in this group’s potential. Altman has been a patient executive, typically avoiding sudden and drastic reactions. His leadership has led the Cavaliers to their success, but there is more to do.

There will be changes this summer, but Altman’s faith in the current roster might hint that a complete overhaul is not in the gameplan. Additionally, with a severe lack of first-round draft picks going forward, it is unlikely any major earth shattering changes come this offseason, leaving the Cavaliers to search for free agents more so rather than exploring the trade market.

Droves of wings are entering free agency, including Khris Middleton, Harrison Barnes, and Jerami Grant. Many of these will command more than the Cavs have to offer, though.

In this scenario, the Cavs are probably looking not to spend every dime on a single addition. One roster improvement absolutely necessary in Cleveland is a 3-and-D wing. If the Cavs look for low risk, high reward options, then these three upcoming free agents could be targets to keep in mind as the postseason wraps up.

Budget Wing No. 1: Yuta Watanabe

In 16 minutes per game this past season, Yuta Watanabe of the Brooklyn Nets averaged 5.6 points and 2.4 rebounds with an effective field goal percentage of 62.1%. Watanabe’s 44.4% three-point percentage on 2.3 attempts stands out as a potential point of intrigue for Cleveland.

While he was not an unstoppable sharpshooter, the 6-foot 9 forward forces defenses to keep him in mind every possession.

A point of weakness in Watanabe’s game has been his speed and overall defensive impact, though. According to NBA.com’s tracking data, opponents shot 39.4% from beyond the arc when defended by Yuta Watanabe during the regular season. Under J.B. Bickerstaff’s defensive-minded schemes, then Watanabe may begin to develop a better presence on the court and become a positive defender.

Watanabe has the size but has yet to play a significant role on any roster. At 28 years old, Watanabe only has four years in the NBA. Assuming that Watanabe signs on a minimum deal, the Cavaliers would only stand to benefit by taking a flyer on him.

With size and good shooting, placing him on a team like Cleveland could open up his potential on defense and on the boards if he is willing to learn under Bickerstaff’s leadership.

Budget Wing No. 2: Torrey Craig

Phoenix Suns backup veteran wing Torrey Craig will be looking for a pay raise this offseason. With the NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), Phoenix will be close to severely limiting themselves in their free agency options.

Under the new CBA, the highest-spending teams will not have access to the taxpayer exception in order to sign new players to mid-sized contracts. These teams will only be able to sign players for whom they retain Bird Rights or veteran minimum deals.

As of now, the Suns are only roughly $3 million above the first “apron”, per Spotrac. Offering Torrey Craig a significant pay increase on his current $5 million expiring deal could bring the team even closer to the draconian second threshold. This might lead to a poor negotiation, and Craig might look to play elsewhere and receive a larger role on a team.

In Cleveland, the 39.5% three-point shooter could slide into the starting three position for the squad and serve as a looming scoring threat against every opponent. Craig was not a wildly high level scorer, only averaging 7.4 points in 24.7 minutes a game over the regular season.

In a fluid, moving offense, though, Torrey Craig opens up another option to keep defenses honest. The Cavaliers could greatly benefit from a flowing offense, passing and distributing the ball until the best open shot becomes available.

He would not likely be the primary scoring option at any time, even playing with reserve players if Caris LeVert stays on the Cavs. Thus, Craig’s value would be in floor spacing, and his scoring would primarily come through baseline cuts and three-point attempts.

On defense, Craig has a been a more than serviceable defender. At 6-foot 7, Torrey Craig has the size and quickness to keep up with most assignments he takes on. Assuming the Cavaliers can bring Craig to the Land on a friendly deal, then he might be the perfect free agent signing for the next season.

Budget Wing No. 3: Jalen McDaniels

Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 2019, Jalen McDaniels eventually found himself on the Philadelphia 76ers via trade this season. Going into the 2023 summer, McDaniels will be available to choose his own fate going forward. At only 25 years old, McDaniels is still searching to solidify himself a steady role on a successful team.

After being traded to the 76ers, McDaniels’ minutes per game dropped from 26.7 down to 17.5 minutes each night. As a young player needing to prove his worth, Cleveland would be an ideal destination to sign a multi-year deal in order to guarantee himself a chance to make his mark somewhere.

Jalen McDaniels only shot 33.2% from three, but his size and defensive capability would give Cleveland another reliable defensive wing. McDaniels’ career-best three-point percentage came in the 2021-2022 season with a rate of 38% on two attempts per game. On the Cavs, McDaniels’ opportunities would grow, and his overall role in the rotation would presumably slot him into the starting five.

McDaniels is likely to be the cheapest young wing in free agency. He has not found his home in the NBA yet, but he is more than hopeful potential with a lot of flaws. Jalen McDaniels has shown himself to be a valuable asset in any city.

The Cleveland Cavaliers could find a diamond in the rough in McDaniels with a cheap multi-year deal. If McDaniels fits into Cleveland’s roster, then signing him to the maximum three-year deal would give Cleveland Bird Rights on his next contract, making him easily retainable going forward.

The Cavaliers would only stand to gain by bringing in Jalen McDaniels as the leaguewide desire for wing depth continues to surge.