The confetti has settled, the LeBron poster stays, and the roar of Cleveland has subsided, leaving only a mild hum and it’s time now to retool in preparation for the championship defence. Cleveland will have challengers, the throne is rarely held so effortlessly anyways. As Golden State attempts to improve from near perfection to the unimaginable with whispers of Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki or Nic Batum, The Spurs choose age over beauty in courting Pau Gasol and the Thunder desperately attempting to hang onto Kevin Durant through a series of upgrades, Cleveland too will be scouring the market in an attempt to upgrade it’s already impressive arsenal. It will be difficult, Cleveland has an absolutely absurd payroll to account for, but through shrewd use of Mid-Level Exceptions, Tax Payer Exceptions, and Analytics based trades, the beast of the East might just grow even greater
The Leverage
Picks and payroll Exceptions – you name it, Cleveland has it. Among their resources include cash, players and some determination to improve. Cleveland might not be in line for the top free agents, but the options they have might just be able to swing a bargain with what they have. A yearly Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception gives them about Three Million procure a ring-chasing Free Agent. More importantly, however, are Cleveland’s three Trade Exceptions. Two expiring $2.2 and $10.5 Million Exceptions from Mike Miller and Brendan Haywood respectively could be in play, but most likely it would be Anderson Varejao’s $9.6 Million that will be used to pick up a straggler trade from a rebuilding team. Speaking of trades, Cleveland has a few options for trade. Kevin Love comes to mind, but that’s most likely just Bleacher Report Pundits attempting to milk every dollar out of his situation. More likely their options include international prospect Cedi Osman, D-Leaguers Quinn Cook and Sir’Dominic Pointer and newly drafted Point Guard Kay Felder. Lastly, the Cavaliers are not completely the Brooklyn Nets, they still hold a 2019 First Round pick, and several Second Rounders in 2018 and 2019 that can be used to sweeten a trade.
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The Options
Dwyane Wade
Ok, let’s get this out of the way. It is very, VERY unlikely Wade comes to Cleveland. Very. But in the scenario where his contract talks with the Heat are once again unsuccessful (which they are) and he talks to his best friend LeBron James (which he might) and believes that playing and winning will land himself as the second best shooting guard over Kobe with another chip or two (which is possible), just maybe the legendary shooting guard could take his talents to North East Ohio. But probably not.
E’Twaun Moore
E’Twaun Moore could be a massive free agency steal if anyone can take him from the Bulls. Young with plenty of room to grow Moore could thrive under the tutelage of Kyrie Irving and LeBron James, as well as other members of the Cavalier organization. Looking to get younger while still competing, Moore could give Cleveland the best of both worlds. Only two hurdles stand in the way of Moore’s signing. First, Cleveland won’t be the only person looking at Moore as a potential long-term solution, and a two year, three million contracts might not be the most appealing in the world. Secondly, Cleveland already has two shooting guards in JR Smith and Iman Shumpert. Taking Moore would likely mean not resigning J.R. and taking a gamble against a proven shooting guard.
Courtney Lee
If Cleveland simply wanted to win and decided to let J.R. go, Lee might just be the answer. A defensive oriented wing, Lee is a bit of a journeyman who has proven his value around the league. Perhaps slightly above the payroll, Cleveland is willing to offer, Lee requires a specific scenario for Cleveland to sign. That being said a win now the team could always use a battle-tested veteran, and Lee fits the bill perfectly.
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Mark D. Smith
Jarret Jack
Rumblings from Brooklyn state that they’re shopping Jack pre-deadline for any potential suitors, and if none can be found he may just be waved. Jack is a serviceable backup Point Guard, and it’s surprising his value has fallen lower than the British Pound. With Matthew Dellavedova’s imminent departure, Cleveland will be in search of a Backup point guard. With Kay Felder and Quinn Cook both being untested commodities, Cleveland might be better off throwing a pick-starved Brooklyn a second rounder or two to guarantee a capable backup for Kyrie Irving.
Patrick Beverly
Speaking of trading for a suitable backup for Kyrie Irving, rumours surround Houston’s Patrick Beverly being available to have surfaced. A source of whispers before the trade deadline, Beverly is a potential six-man for the backcourt who can provide a lockdown defensive presence that Dellavedova did previously. Houston committing to a full rebuild might trade for Sir’Dominic, Kay Felder, and Cedi Osman, as long as another team doesn’t pique their interests with a better offer.
David Richard | USA Today
Tyler Zeller
A return to Cleveland might be imminent for the Celtics big man if he feels like a ring chase is better than the stability of a long-term contract with the Celtics. Zeller is effective at what he does, but better players sit ahead of him on the depth chart. With the likely loss of Timofey Mozgov, Cleveland might be partial to adding one more big body to its frontcourt to pair with Tristan Thompson and Channing Frye. Zeller’s price tag will likely be inexpensive, averaging less than fifteen minutes a game, and could provide a useful boost off the bench, and some extra depth for those regular season runs.
Joe Johnson
Until signing Dahntay Jones, Cleveland’s 15th roster spot was formally known as the “Joe Johnson Memorial Space” in memory of their failed attempt to woo the effective veteran small forward. Chances that this becomes remedied this season are faint, as Johnson has stated he’s prioritizing playing time and paychecks over a ring, but offered the opportunity to play with LeBron James for a ring, few can easily say no. For a while he was the difference between a top-five offensively rated Heat team to one that lost to the Raptors in the playoffs. His status may depend on Richard Jefferson’s return as Jefferson has proven to be an effective and successful backup to LeBron James.
Ian Mahinmi
Mahinmi might just be the third best player on this list after Dwyane Wade and Courtney Lee, yet if David West has shown anything, Indiana Centers are all about winning. Convincing one of the better defensive big men in the NBA to take either a veteran’s minimum or a small two-year contract might be difficult, but then again, last year David West turned down ten million to take a Vet min with San Antonio in an almost identical situation, so like Kevin Garnett says, anything is possible.
