Return or Burn: How should the Cavaliers handle each free agent?

The 2022-23 Cleveland Cavaliers were not good enough to win a championship. They certainly won a lot of games, notching 51 victories to finish fourth in the Eastern Conference, but when they reached the playoffs they fell in just five games to the New York Knicks.

Running back the same exact team might be possible, but it’s not advisable. This group needs a bit of shaking up — perhaps not to the core, but to the roster around them. With seven players on track to hit free agency this offseason (assuming Lamar Stevens, Sam Merrill and Cedi Osman aren’t waived) who should the Cavs bring back, and who should they let walk?

Let’s play Return or Burn!

Free Agent No. 7: Dylan Windler

Dylan Windler should have been exactly what the Cavaliers have needed for the past few seasons. He’s a big wing with a smooth shooting stroke and decent defensive chops; the idea of Windler is that he would be a 3-and-D wing capable of attacking closeouts with a little bit of a floor game. That’s what the Cavs are looking for this offseason.

They are looking because the idea of Windler never became a reality. He has battled injuries repeatedly and logged just 84 games with Cleveland in the four years since he was drafted. Hopefully, Windler can get healthy and build an NBA career, but it won’t happen in Cleveland. It’s time to move on.

Verdict: Burn