The first few days of the NBA’s free agency period were highlighted by young stars returning to their respective franchises for the foreseeable future.
The Indiana Pacers brought back an All-Star guard in Tyrese Haliburton when they signed him to a five-year, $260-million contract on July 1. Haliburton did well in the three games he played against Cleveland last season, earning averages of 20.3 points and 11.3 assists in games in December and February. The Minnesota Timberwolves re-signed guard Anthony Edwards to a massive extension after a 2022-23 season that saw him earn career-highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals per game.
The Cavs had a relatively quiet free agency period in 2022 before the blockbuster trade that sent guard Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland. They re-signed guard Darius Garland to a five-year, $193 million contract extension after a season that saw him earn his first All-Star selection. They brought back guard Ricky Rubio on a three-year, $18.4 million deal. Cleveland added center Robin Lopez and guard Raul Neto to help bolster their bench.
“Our focus during this offseason has been centered around making this team better and finding the best talent to help strengthen this roster,” President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman said in a 2022 release. “When you think about the impact Ricky had on our team last season, his addition became a priority to bring back to Cleveland.
“We also feel Robin and Raul are both high character guys who have played a great amount of meaningful basketball and will bring the right balance of seasoned experience and depth to our emerging young core. We are excited for Ricky’s return and welcome Robin and Raul to the Cavaliers family.”
This year, the Cavaliers had a busy few weeks of their own.
They addressed their need for extra shooting with a multitude of signings from across the league. They kept one of their more productive scorers off the bench when they re-signed guard Caris LeVert to a two-year contract. Cleveland addressed some of its more prominent positions of need with the sign-and-trade for Heat guard Max Strus and the trade for center Damian Jones.
What grades should the moves made by the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first few weeks of the NBA’s Free Agency period receive?
The Max Strus Sign-and-trade: B
The trade may have been expensive, but the Cavs needed to at least find a stopgap option at the three heading into next season.
Cleveland acquired former Miami Heat guard Max Strus in a three-team sign-and-trade. Along with a second-round pick, they sent forwards Lamar Stevens and Cedi Osman to San Antonio. Miami gained a 2026 second-round pick in the trade. The Cavs locked down Strus for the next four years with a contract worth $63 million.
It will be hard to let go of Osman and Stevens. Osman had played in a Cavs uniform since the 2017-18 season. Stevens separated himself as a tough, vocal leader off Cleveland’s bench this season.
But, if Strus can prove to be the final missing piece the Cavs need at the three, the price will be worth it.
Re-Signing Caris LeVert: B+
He’s back.
The Cavs re-sign LeVert to a two-year, $32 million contract on the first day of the NBA’s free agency period. He split time between the starting lineup and the bench for Cleveland last year, including the three games he started during the team’s five-game Playoff series against the New York Knicks.
Though he wasn’t the most efficient of scoring options last season, he proved to be a reliable player as the season went on. He could continue to be a solid fit behind Mitchell at the two if he can tighten up his shooting numbers next year.
Signing Georges Niang: A-
No team can pay too much for more shooting help, especially in the modern era of NBA basketball.
Cleveland signed Niang, a former second-round pick out of Iowa State, to a three-year, $26 million contract. He shot at a consistent 40.3% from the 3-point line during his seven-year NBA career. He hit 40.1% of his 4.9 attempts per game during the 2022-23 season, going as high as 83.3% when he hit five of his six shots during a 16-point performance against the Milwaukee Bucks in March.
The Cavs entered the offseason with a need for extra shooting. With the signing of Niang, who has been a reliable shooter for most of his NBA career, Cleveland will at least have a few reliable shooters off the bench next season.
Trading for Damian Jones: B+
The Cavs acquired center Damian Jones from the Utah Jazz in exchange for cash considerations.
The former first-round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft played in 41 games between the Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers last season. The 6-foot-11 center played in one game against Cleveland last season, grabbing four rebounds and blocking one shot as he played in just under 12 minutes for the Lakers in December.
Jones exercised his $2.58 million player option last month for the 2023-24 season. If he can be a reliable center off the bench, he and Niang can provide some much-needed size for the Cavs next season at a lower price.
Signing Ty Jerome: B+
Cleveland came closer to fully rounding out its roster with the signing of guard Ty Jerome.
The former Virginia guard played in 45 games and started in two for the Golden State Warriors last season, making a start against the Cavs during a January game in Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. He scored 6.9 points and dished three assists per game. The 6-foot-5 guard signed a
If Jerome can replicate the seasons he had with the Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns, he can be a solid backup alongside either LeVert or Rubio in the backcourt.