Hoops Wire Senior NBA Writer Sam Amico wrote about a few NBA free agency options for the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday.
“Along with intending to re-sign LeVert, the Cavs have guard/forward Derrick Jones Jr. on their radar, sources said,” Amico wrote. “Jones’ agent, Aaron Turner, is a native of Orange, Ohio, outside of Cleveland. Jones declined his player option with the Bulls.
“Shooting guard Josh Richardson (Pelicans), small forward T.J. Warren (Suns) and guard Kendrick Nunn (Wizards) are among the multiple free agents also said to be drawing interest from Cleveland.
Jones, formerly from the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat, declined his $3.3 million player option last Wednesday. He was included in the three-team sign-and-trade that sent forward Lauri Markkanen to the Cavs in 2021. The seven-year NBA veteran averaged five points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game in 64 games played for Chicago last season.
Richardson split time with the New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs during the 2022-23 season. He earned averages of 10.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game as he played in 65 games and started in 10 last year. He is listed as an unrestricted free agent in 2023 after earning a cap hit of about $12.2 million during the 2022-23 season, according to sports contract and salary website Spotrac.
Warren signed a one-year contract with the Brooklyn Nets in 2022. He would be traded to the Phoenix Suns in the deal that sent forward Kevin Durant to Phoenix and forward Mikal Bridges to Brooklyn in February.
“T.J. is a proven three-level scorer with the size and versatility to make an impact for us,” Nets General Manager Sean Marks said in a 2022 release. “We think T.J. is a great fit on the wing, and we’re excited to welcome him and his family to Brooklyn.”
Guard Caris LeVert, center Robin Lopez, guard Raul Neto and guard Danny Green make up the Cavs’ unrestricted free agents for 2023. Forwards Dylan Windler, Mamadi Diakite and Isaiah Mobley are listed as restricted free agents. The Cavs picked up the team option of forward Lamar Stevens on Friday.
