As Chris Grant reminded us last night- free agency starts Sunday. The Cavaliers have several players with expiring deals that they need to make decisions about, as well as evaluate the roster and see who they may want to pursue. Chris Grant said the Cavaliers will be ‘active’ in free agency. Let’s be sure to temper any excitement about that statement. Resigning Anthony Parker was ‘active’ to the Cavaliers last season.
On the Roster- Player (signed through)
Kyrie Irving (2015/16)
Anderson Varejao (2013/14- team option for ’14/15)
Tristan Thompson (2015/16)
Luke Walton (2012/13)
Omri Casspi (2013/14)
Daniel Gibson (team option for this season $4.8 million)
Dion Waiters (draft pick)
Tyler Zeller (draft pick)
Kelenna Azubuike (team option for this season $.9 million)
Restricted Free Agents
Semih Erden
Alonzo Gee
Luke Harangody
Non-Guaranteed Contracts
Manny Harris
Samardo Samuels
Donald Sloan
D.J. Kennedy
The Cavaliers have several decisions to make about their own players. Azubuike was the player that Dallas included in the trade for Tyler Zeller. He has had terrible injuries throughout his career, and it wouldn’t be a big surprise if the Cavs let him go.
Semih Erden has done nothing to warrant a spot on the roster other than being tall. Will that keep him around another season? It could, but it is doubtful that the Cavs keep Harangody, Erden and Samuels. One of the three will most certainly be let go. Despite his hustle and great attitude, it could easily be Luke.
Alonzo Gee is going to get offers from other teams. The Suns have made it clear they will pursue him. It will become a numbers game. Alonzo was a great story last season. He certainly has value on this Cavaliers team. Coming off the bench providing energy and scoring is a great role for him. The Cavaliers would love to keep him, but I can’t see them overpaying for anyone at this point.
Who is Available
We can all dream, but the Cavs aren’t going after Deron Williams, Roy Hibbert or Tim Duncan. They need at least a wing player, possibly a back-up point guard or an upgrade from the Erden/Samuels/Harandody grouping.
Small Forwards (Player, team, last year’s salary, type of FA)
Matt Barnes, L.A. Lakers – $1.9 million – Unrestricted
Nic Batum, Portland Trail Blazers – $2.2 million – Restricted ($3.2 million Qualifying Offer)
Derrick Brown, Charlotte Bobcats – $0.9 million – Restricted
Chase Budinger, Minnesota Timberwolves – $0.9 million – Team Option ($0.9 million)
Rasual Butler, Toronto Raptors – $1.2 million – Unrestricted
Devin Ebanks, L.A. Lakers – $0.8 million – Restricted
Jeremy Evans, Utah Jazz – $0.8 million – Restricted
Jeff Green, Boston Celtics – $4.5 million – Restricted ($7.2 million Qualifying Offer)
Donte’ Greene, Sacramento Kings – $2.0 million – Restricted ($3.0 million Qualifying Offer)
Grant Hill, Phoenix Suns – $6.5 million – Unrestricted
Dahntay Jones, Indiana Pacers – $2.7 million – Player Option ($2.9 million)
Dominic McGuire, Golden State Warriors – $0.9 million – Unrestricted
Jamario Moon, Charlotte Bobcats – $0.1 million – Unrestricted
Eduardo Najera, Charlotte Bobcats – $2.8 million – Unrestricted
Andres Nocioni, Philadelphia 76ers – $6.7 million – Unrestricted
Steve Novak, New York Knicks – $1.0 million – Unrestricted
Diamon Simpson, Houston Rockets – $0.1 million – Restricted
James Singleton, Washington Wizards – $0.2 million – Unrestricted
DaJuan Summers, New Orleans Hornets – $0.8 million – Unrestricted
Anthony Tolliver, Minnesota Timberwolves – $2.1 million – Unrestricted
Gerald Wallace, Brooklyn Nets – $9.5 million – Unrestricted
Bill Walker, New York Knicks – $0.9 million – Unrestricted
Damien Wilkins, Detroit Pistons – $1.1 million – Unrestricted
Chris Wright, Golden State Warriors – $0.5 million – Restricted
Sam Young, Philadelphia 76ers – $0.9 million – Restricted
Point Guards
Blake Ahearn, Utah Jazz – $0.1 million – Restricted
Gilbert Arenas, Memphis Grizzlies – $0.4 million – Unrestricted
D.J. Augustin, Charlotte Bobcats – $3.2 million – Restricted ($4.4 million Qualifying Offer)
Leandro Barbosa, Indiana Pacers – $7.6 million – Unrestricted
Jerryd Bayless, Toronto Raptors – $3.0 million – Restricted ($4.2 million Qualifying Offer)
Chauncey Billups, L.A. Clippers – $2.0 million – Unrestricted
Earl Boykins, Houston Rockets – $0.2 million – Unrestricted
Aaron Brooks, Phoenix Suns – $2.0 million – Restricted ($3.0 million Qualifying Offer)
Anthony Carter, Toronto Raptors – $1.3 million – Unrestricted
Baron Davis, New York Knicks – $1.3 million – Unrestricted
Keyon Dooling, Boston Celtics – $2.2 million – Unrestricted
Goran Dragic, Houston Rockets – $2.1 million – Unrestricted
Jerome Dyson, New Orleans Hornets – $0.1 million – Restricted
Jordan Farmar, Brooklyn Nets – $4.0 million – Player Option ($4.3 million)
Raymond Felton, Portland Trail Blazers – $7.6 million – Unrestricted
Jonny Flynn, Portland Trail Blazers – $3.4 million – Unrestricted
Derek Fisher, Oklahoma City Thunder – $3.4 million – Unrestricted
T.J. Ford, Golden State Warriors – $1.1 million – Unrestricted
Courtney Fortson, Houston Rockets – $0.2 million – Restricted
Randy Foye, L.A. Clippers – $4.3 million – Unrestricted
Sundiata Gaines, Brooklyn Nets – $0.9 million – Restricted
Terrell Harris, Miami HEAT – $0.5 million – Restricted
George Hill, Indiana Pacers – $2.1 million – Restricted ($3.1 million Qualifying Offer)
Kirk Hinrich, Atlanta Hawks – $8.0 million – Unrestricted
Royal Ivey, Oklahoma City Thunder – $1.2 million – Unrestricted
Mike James, Chicago Bulls – $0.6 million – Unrestricted
Armon Johnson, Brooklyn Nets – $0.1 million – Restricted
Carldell Johnson, New Orleans Hornets – $0.5 million – Restricted
Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks – $8.6 million – Unrestricted
DeAndre Liggins, Orlando Magic – $0.5 million – Restricted
Jeremy Lin, New York Knicks – $0.8 million – Restricted
John Lucas, Chicago Bulls – $0.9 million – Unrestricted
Roger Mason, Washington Wizards – $1.1 million – Unrestricted
Andre Miller, Denver Nuggets – $7.8 million – Unrestricted
Patty Mills, San Antonio Spurs – $0.3 million – Restricted
Darius Morris, L.A. Lakers – $0.5 million – Restricted
Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns – $11.7 million – Unrestricted
Jameer Nelson, Orlando Magic – $7.8 million – Player Option ($7.8 million)
Jannero Pargo, Atlanta Hawks – $1.1 million – Unrestricted
A.J. Price, Indiana Pacers – $0.9 million – Restricted
Ronnie Price, Phoenix Suns – $1.1 million – Unrestricted
Walker Russell, Jr., Detroit Pistons – $0.4 million – Restricted
Ramon Sessions, L.A. Lakers – $4.3 million – Player Option ($4.6 million)
Ishmael Smith, Orlando Magic – $0.5 million – Restricted
Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks – $10.7 million – Unrestricted
Jamaal Tinsley, Utah Jazz – $1.2 million – Team Option ($1.3 million)
Ben Uzoh, Toronto Raptors – $0.2 million – Restricted
Delonte West, Dallas Mavericks – $1.1 million – Unrestricted
Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets – $16.4 million – Player Option ($17.8 million)
Mo Williams, L.A. Clippers – $8.5 million – Player Option ($8.5 million)
That is an absurd amount of free agent point guards. There will be 29 unrestricted free agent point guards. That’s only one less than there are teams in the league. The Cavaliers have a reported interest in signing Jonny Flynn, which is a move I could get behind.
The Cavs also have tremendous flexibility. They will be well under the salary cap, plus have a very attractive asset in Andy Varejao. They Cavaliers also have their own first round pick next year, plus the Miami Heat’s first round pick (top 10 protected), the Sacramento Kings’ first round pick (top 13 protected) and the right to swap any of those picks for the Lakers’ first rounder (top 14 protected). They also own Orlando’s second round pick.
It should be an interesting summer.
