NBA Free Agency: 5 remaining players the Cavaliers should target

Free Agent No. 3: Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets

If the Cleveland Cavaliers are open to exploring sign-and-trade options, there is one player still on the market that would represent the best on-court upgrade for the Cavs. The on-paper fit is perfect: a 25-year-old small forward who plays good defense and last averaged 20.2 points, seven rebounds and 3.8 assists.

The problem is that Miles Bridges cannot be evaluated simply for his on-court fit. He pleaded no contest to a domestic violence charge and guilty to one felony count of injuring a child’s parent, and after sitting out all of last year he will serve a final 10 games of a suspension to start this season.

Bridges is a restricted free agent, but the Hornets may not be interested in bringing him back. Would they like to add a couple of the Cavs’ role players and a second-round pick to wash their hands of the Bridges situation? The Cavaliers have a strong organizational culture, and may feel they can help Bridges not only transition back onto the basketball court, but become a better man off of it.

Whichever team signs Bridges will face a lot of backlash, but at the same time, Bridges deserves a chance to serve the penalty for his actions and then move forward. Is Cleveland willing to be that team? It is a move with plenty of upside and plenty of downside.