Sharife Cooper is a name that is very well-known to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has been with the organization for a couple of years now playing for the Cleveland Charge, and he has been in Training Camp each of the past few seasons with the Cavs. He knows the system and he knows these players.
The problem with Cooper is that he is a good finisher and elite passer, but his defense is very suspect and his 3-point shot even more so. To maximize Cooper he essentially has to have the ball in his hands at all times, which is a move that raises the floor but lowers the ceiling for an offense. That capped ceiling and lack of off-ball value probably makes Cooper a long shot to get a look at a call-up.
Elfrid Payton has clung to the NBA for the past few seasons, trying to keep his career alive. The former No. 10 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft last played in the league in 2021-22, appearing in 50 games for the Phoenix Suns. Just this preseason, however, he signed with a Chinese professional team to play the Toronto Raptors and show himself off in front of NBA eyes, dropping 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Payton never figured out how to shoot from 3-point range (28.7 percent for his career), a reality that killed his career. He is otherwise a stout defender, gifted passer and great rebounder for his size. Unless his shot has finally come around, however, Payton is probably on the outside looking in on an NBA resurrection.