2019 Central NBA Free Agency Primer: Division with greatest potential for growth
Cleveland Cavaliers
Situation Entering Offseason:
Much like the Bulls the Cavaliers spent the majority of the season actively tanking. In the end, their efforts didn’t net the prize they hoped as finishing dead last with one of the three chances to win the Zion Williamson sweepstakes fell short. Instead, they plummeted to fifth as they watched each of the New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks and Los Angles Lakers slide past them in the order.
It’s likely Coby Altman had some anxious moments when the Hawks and Pelicans swapped the fourth pick but with Atlanta already possessing their starting point guard of the future (Trae Young) he was able to get his man in Darius Garland.
Moving forward it will be interesting to see how Garland and Collin Sexton fit in the backcourt as neither are on the taller side for their position. That said, Sexton is a better scorer and off ball player while Garland excels at playmaking so it could reap benefits for the rebuilding squad.
Salary:
Cap Space: $ (47,741,525.00)
Floor Space: $ 38,055,033.00
Max Space: $ (15,248,598.00)
Projected Space: $ (35,931,525.00)
*as per Keith Smith of Real GM
Key free agents to re-sign
Cleveland enters NBA Free Agency without any key names on their free agent list as ‘must have’ re-signs. Instead, their efforts will be focused on moving out contracts too rich for a team in the rebuilding process.
JR Smith who spent the majority of last season away from the team still has one more season ($15.680M) on his contract. The Lakers are rumored to have interest (as they are to a number of players) but no assets in place to absorb his contract. Cleveland is hoping to trade Smith but may be forced into a situation of buying his contract if they can’t move him.
Overall, Altman made excellent draft picks also adding Dylan Windler and Kevin Porter both of whom could prove to be excellent floor spacers. It’s likely the GM will spend his offseason looking to get out from expensive contracts, test the waters for Kevin Love‘s tradeability and then focus on the free agent contracts coming up next summer. The latter with a focus on gaining assets and picks for those expiring contracts.
Undrafted forward Dean Wade out of Kansas State has agreed to a two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 21, 2019
2019 Roster Depth:
- Jordan Clarkson
- Matthew Dellavedova
- John Henson
- Brandon Knight
- Kevin Love
- Larry Nance Jr.
- Cedi Osman
- Collin Sexton
- J.R. Smith
- Tristan Thompson
- Ante Zizic
JR Smith agreed to push his guarantee date to August 1st, giving the Cavaliers more time to try and trade him — a league source said
— Joe Vardon (@joevardon) June 29, 2019
Draft Picks:
- Darius Garland
- Dylan Windler
- Kevin Porter
2019 free agents
David Nwaba (Restricted)
Jaron Blossomgame (Restricted)
Deng Adel (Restricted)
Marquese Chriss
Nik Stauskas
2020 free agents
Tristan Thompson
John Henson
Matthew Dellavedova
J.R. Smith
Jordan Clarkson
Cedi Osman (Restricted)
Brandon Knight