As the NBA offseason continues forward, the Cleveland Cavaliers are one of many teams hoping to boost their wing position.
The Cavs had a phenomenal regular season, but their lack of consistency at the wing position led to their swift exit from the postseason in five games. That role, then, will be Koby Altman’s primary focus this summer.
Come October, the Cavaliers absolutely must go open the next season with a more offensively versatile roster without tearing down their current four-man core. The Cavs have the league’s best defense on most nights, but their limited scoring is holding them back.
Who, then, is the best target this summer to fill the starting three spot? These three wings are some of the most realistic and smartest additions for Cleveland.
Honorable Mentions: Josh Richardson, Grant Williams, T.J. Warren, Torrey Craig
Good – Troy Brown, Jr.
In five seasons, Troy Brown, Jr. has spent time on three separate teams. Most recently, the young wing played alongside our site’s namesake, King LeBron James, on the Los Angeles Lakers.
On a team with overwhelming turnover at the trade deadline reminiscent of the 2018 Cavaliers, Brown was one of the few players who remained.
There has been little conversation surrounding Brown this off-season, but he could be a sleeper steal for Cleveland’s roster. His minutes fluctuated throughout the regular season and Playoffs, but he managed to impact the game positively every night out as a prototypical 3-and-D wing.
Brown attempted 3.7 long-range shots per game and connected on 38.1 percent of them, per Basketball Reference. Signing the 6-foot 6-inch wing next to Garland and Mitchell would set Brown up for wide-open attempts to make the most of his smooth jumper.
Defensively, the former Oregon Duck holds his own in a well-formed defensive system. Led by Cavs Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff, Brown’s defensive capabilities would be valued for his hustle and intelligence.
Though Brown looks perfect on a spreadsheet, his inability to secure guaranteed minutes could be cause for concern. In the case that Brown, Jr. is available at a discounted price compared to the league’s top wing free agents, he might be the perfect signing.
Otherwise, these next two wings might be what the Cavs need.
Better – Kelly Oubre, Jr.
At the 2023 NBA trade deadline, the Cavaliers reportedly had their eyes on a trade with the Charlotte Hornets centered around 27-year-old Kelly Oubre, Jr. but fell short of a deal due to Oubre’s broken hand.
Now, the veteran wing is entering unrestricted free agency and might be available at the Mid-Level Exception for the Cavaliers. Last season, Oubre earned a total of $12.6 million and could likely sign for a similar number again.
NBA writer Brian Windhorst mentioned that Oubre is a target to keep an eye on for Cleveland, meaning the Cavs have not yet lost interest in his fit on the roster.
As a career 33 percent 3-point shooter, Oubre would come with a level of risk associated. Oubre’s skill set might have a multiple-week-long hot streak, draining seemingly every shot and hustling on every play on defense.
Conversely, Oubre will have frustrating portions of the season in which his lackluster play holds him back.
Oubre never stops hustling, though, and he never gives up on his shot. He will shoot himself out of his slump given time, and he can is guaranteed to put his best effort in every contest. On the Cavs, Kelly Oubre, Jr. would bring another layer of grit on both ends of the ball and help to maintain the team’s energy. He would slot easily into the starting five next to the Cavs’ core.
He does not always need the ball in his hand, having learned to play off the ball next to Stephen Curry in Golden State and later with LaMelo Ball in Charlotte. Oubre is not a phenomenal playmaker, but he can find the open man and allow his teammates a chance to find an open spot coming off a screen.
Given Oubre’s inconsistency, who would be the best target for the Cavs to fill out their starting squad?
Best – Max Strus
It’s hard to pass up on a player that was just in the NBA Finals on a team that will probably be unable to afford his return.
Though Max Strus struggled as the Miami Heat fell in five games to the first-time NBA champion Denver Nuggets, his constant presence on the court and ability to punish lazy defenders cannot be overlooked.
The Cavaliers are in desperate need of wings with playoff experience, and Strus might be the perfect fit to elevate this Cleveland roster.
Strus was one of many undrafted players the Heat discovered and developed. In his three seasons in the Association, Strus has shot 37.1 percent from three on roughly six attempts per game. Additionally, Strus ranked in the 80th percentile of corner three shooters at his position, per Cleaning the Glass (subscription required).
An accurate volume shooter such as Max Strus would give the Cavaliers a lethal perimeter threat that defenses have to respect every night.
Standing at 6-foot-5 inches, Strus is not the tallest wing option. But, his wingspan reaches just under 6-foot-8 inches, and Strus’ muscular build gives him an edge against most opponents.
At the end of the day, Max Strus gives the Cleveland Cavaliers a fighting chance every game to come away with a win. With Miami nearing ever closer to the dreaded second luxury tax apron, then Strus could very possibly be available for the Cavaliers to steal away with their full MLE.
Any of these signings would put the Cavs into the conversation for the best team in the Eastern Conference. With the right off-season moves, Cleveland will be prime position to Let ‘Em Know next year.