Ranking available free agent 3-and-D wings for Cavaliers in 2023

The Cleveland Cavaliers enter the offseason with their sights set on an upgrade at small forward. They certainly need to bolster the point guard room and find a a big to protect the rim, stretch the court or both. The top priority, unequivocally and undeniably, is finding as much help on the wing as possible.

The trick is that they need wings who help on both ends of the court, with enough defensive ability to survive while boasting enough shooting to keep defenses honest on the other end. That type of player is highly valued on the free agent market, so landing one or more isn’t going to be easy.

Who are the Cavaliers considering in free agency?

Plenty of names are being bandied about as Cleveland media and fans discuss which players the team should pursue in free agency. Some are decidedly not shooters, while others certainly can’t defend. Some are going to be way too expensive, while others should be available for a minimum contract. Factor in the Cavs’ limited resources and limited roster spots, and it’s a mess to sort out.

This is an attempt to help lay out the situation by ranking 20 available 3-and-D wings. Some are more “3” or more “D” but all fit into the definition at one end or the other. We are leaving off players unlikely to hit the market (Herb Jones, Matisse Thybulle) and those who can’t reasonably play small forward (Gary Trent Jr. on the guard side, Cam Johnson on the big side). Which players should the Cavaliers prioritize this summer? Let’s walk down the list.