The Cleveland Cavaliers have turned over a fair amount of their roster this summer, replacing a number of bench players with shooters and bringing back Caris LeVert to help glue the bench together. None of their core players were free agents this summer, so the upgrades, while important, happened around that core.
Turnover means saying goodbye even as you welcome new faces, with former comrades spreading out to join other teams. Sometimes a parting can become a reunion delayed; in the NBA, goodbyes are never forever (just ask Dan Gilbert and LeBron James).
Which former Cavs are still on the market?
As the NBA calendar advances through the summer, leaving free agency in the rearview and starting to approach the oncoming season, most players have settled into their landing places around the league. Not everyone, however, and there are still a number of players still unsigned looking for a home.
That includes a handful of former Cleveland Cavaliers, both recent and more distant companions. Could any of them be an option for the Cavs to bring back? If not, where might they land? Let’s look at four names that will be familiar to fans of the Cavs.
Note: Lamar Stevens is eligible to return to the Cavaliers before signing with another team first, so we left him off of this article.
Former Cavs free agent No. 1: Raul Neto
As he prepares to compete for Brazil at the World Cup this month, point guard Raul Neto is still unsigned. Now 31 years old, Neto is the epitome of a third point guard, a steady ball-handler and good defender who isn’t going to take many shots.
The problem with Neto is that he also doesn’t space the floor, eliminating most of his off-ball value on offense. He will probably catch on somewhere before the season starts, but it’s possible he has to contemplate a move out of the NBA.
It’s very unlikely the Cavs bring him back, with Ricky Rubio and Ty Jerome backing up Darius Garland. A team in greater need of point guard help, however, could give him a look; perhaps the Dallas Mavericks or Toronto Raptors look him up.
Former Cavs free agent No. 2: Danny Green
One of the six active players with three championship rings, Danny Green signed on with the Cleveland Cavaliers near the end of last season and played a minor role. At his best, he is one of the league’s best 3-and-D wings, with a lethal 3-point shot and plenty of defensive savvy.
The issue last year was that Green was coming off of an ACL injury, a problem for any player but especially one his age. If Green’s mobility and agility come back with another 5+ months of rehab and rest, he could help a contender out. That includes Cleveland, who should be first in line to secure his services.
Former Cavs free agent No. 3: George Hill
George Hill has changed his role over the course of his 15-year career, but his skillset has been largely the same. He is an excellent shooter and defender who can handle the ball but is also well-equipped to work off-ball, allowing him to thrive alongside on-ball wings such as Paul George, Giannis Antetokounmpo and, once upon a time, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Now 37 years old, Hill ended last season with the Indiana Pacers and is currently without an NBA home. He still seems to have enough in the tank to be a solid locker room veteran and occasional rotation piece at either guard position; a team such as Philadelphia or Miami could make sense to bolster their point guard rotation.
Former Cavs free agent No. 4: Tristan Thompson
One of the core members of the Cleveland Cavaliers when they made four consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, Tristan Thompson is still hanging around the league as a journeyman big man. After spending much of last year working as an analyst, Thompson stepped back onto the court with the Los Angeles Lakers for the final weeks of the season and playoffs.
The Cavs could potentially sign Thompson to be a veteran voice and to provide emergency big man depth, but with Damian Jones such a questionable option it’s likely the Cavs try to add someone with a bit more upside. If they think Isaiah Mobley is that player, perhaps Thompson gets a look.
None of these players are locks or even likely to return to Cleveland, but it’s always possible. With players such as Robin Lopez, Kevin Love and Dylan Windler already signing elsewhere, the list of Cavaliers alumni on the free agent market has thinned out; could any of these four be an impact player this season?