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

By Josh Cornelissen

Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards and Jerami Grant, Detroit Pistons. Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards and Jerami Grant, Detroit Pistons. Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images /
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Anthony Lamb, Golden State Warriors. Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images /

16. Josh Okogie, Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns will have three free agent wings on this list, which is both a comment on how much roster turnover they could see this summer and highlights the differences in each player. Terrence Ross was the mostly-offense option, and Josh Okogie is the mostly-defense player. He started five games in the playoffs and took on some tough defensive assignments, but outside of the occasional hot shooting game, his 3-pointer largely deserted him. He’s probably something of an Isaac Okoro light and not a major boon to the Cavs.

15. Danuel House Jr., Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers signed Danuel House Jr. as part of their rotation makeover last summer and then rarely used him. He is theoretically a 3-and-D lite wing, a career 36.2 percent 3-point shooter and a solid defender, but he seems to have stretches of usefulness broken up by stretches of wildly inconsistent play. Does Cleveland want to roll the dice?

14. Anthony Lamb, Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors “discovered” and then leaned on two-way player Anthony Lamb a lot last season. The 6’6″ forward looks the part of a 3-and-D role player, shooting 36.7 percent of his 3-pointers on decent volume while playing heady defense. Is last season was a step in his development, he deserves to be even higher on this list, but the lack of a track record could indicate last season was a hit shooting season instead.

13. Josh Richardson, New Orleans Pelicans

Josh Richardson has more pedigree than anyone who has appeared on this list thus far, with real on-ball ability and a near-All-Star season to his name. He also has struggled to capitalize on that track record, putting in shaky performances in Philadelphia, Dallas and Boston before finding his niche in San Antonio. He is a good defender and should be a great shooter; the upside with Richardson is significant and he’s the first player on this list who could command up to the Full MLE in free agency.