3 young wings the Cavs should consider signing in free agency

Potential Cavs young wing target No. 2: Hamidou Diallo

Cleveland and Detroit had been linked in some trade rumors earlier this season, however nothing came to pass by the deadline. While those rumors were mostly predicated on Bojan Bogdanovic as a possible target, there is an intriguing young wing from the Pistons entering in free agency this year who could be a quality addition in his own right.

Hamidou Diallo would be a relatively risk-free signing, with a high upside for the Cavaliers they could consider signing for some of the squad’s $12.2 million Non-taxpayer Mid-Level Exception.

Diallo managed an average of 9.3 points per game, along with 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists. In addition to that, he also had a field goal percentage of 57.3%. Diallo would be an energizer off the bench for this team, whether on the offensive or defensive side of the ball.

When it comes to the offensive side, Diallo’s three-point shot leaves something to be desired, at just a 23.8% clip last season and 27.4% clip for his career, but he definitely makes up for that with his ability to cut to the basket and drive. Diallo’s knack for making plays in transition could provide a spark for the Cavs’ bench in stretches throughout the games.

Having only a 23.8% rating from three, Diallo would not be the answer to Cleveland’s shooting. Instead, his capabilities of finishing at the rim in somewhat of a dunker/instinctive cutter role would be compelling to see working in tandem with a facilitator like Darius Garland.

The true appeal of Diallo comes from his defense. A solid perimeter defender, Diallo has been known to apply the pressure against his opponents. Adaptability, strength, and speed are the key ingredients to Diallo’s defensive style of play. If the Cavs were to sign Diallo they would be getting a wing that can utilize his size and wingspan against opponents, making it rather difficult for them to find their way to the basket.

Diallo can provide some much needed pressure against players in transition, too, as he has managed to rack up 7.4 rebounds per-36 minutes over the course of five seasons in the league, and can get downhill off of those. Not to mention the young wing also put up 1.9 steals per 36 minutes this now-previous season.

Diallo is not a player that is going to generate a really large market, necessarily. Potentially, a contract for the wing player to sign in Cleveland could look something like a range of seemingly $6-9 million per year. If the Cavaliers are capable of acquiring a player like Diallo for that price range, it would certainly be worth consideration.

For our final wing player the Cavs should consider signing this offseason, we need to turn our attention to the Minnesota Timberwolves.