Windhorst reports from the Cavaliers’ draft room
June 29, 2012Cavaliers’ Dion Waiters to wear #3, Tyler Zeller #40
June 29, 2012As 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.
25 Comments
Sam Amico said in one of his chats that the only pick that had protections on it was the Kings’ pick.
I didn’t realize all of the picks next year as well….sad when you get more excited about the picks than the season haha
Sign Batum, please
Here is my source, and they have been very trustworthy in the past. http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed
interesting names..
Barnes, Greene and Sam Young at wing
Flynn, Lucas, West and AJ Price at guard
how about free agent big men? a rotation of TT Andy and Z is well enough. but I’d sure hate to see Samardo Samuels on the floor this year.
Yeah, from what I’ve read the Lakers and MIA’s picks are protected.
Although I got that info from the same source…
Jonny Flynn types (will be 23 this season and at least had some luster as a top prospect) only please. And for the love of god, please move Varejao before he gets hurt again. Roll into this season with Irving-Waiters-Gee-Thompson-Zeller, and a bench composed of a bunch of young guys with some potential to develop in a couple years. Cycle them through the D-league if necessary. Don’t waste time on anyone who is only going to add a win or two will take precious developmental minutes away from guys who at least have a chance to be on the next Cavs contender.
A traded draft pick cannot be protected AND have the ability to be swapped. It’s an either/or proposition. The Heat pick is protected, the Lakers pick has the ability to be swapped, but is not protected. The Lakers’ pick this year (#24) was the one that was protected.
EDIT: I should add, that was the case in the previous CBA. I actually don’t know if that’s still the case with the new one or not.
Yea that’s why yesterdays draft shouldn’t be condemned as it’s most likely just part of the rebuilding plan.
Batum would be nice but he’ll have plenty of suitors starting with his current team in Portland. If he was somehow added you could do away with the Gibsons and Casspis of the world. I’m all in favor of it.
I’d love this, but i have friends in Oregon who tell me there’s no way the Blazers let him go. He’s something of a fan favorite out there.
The most realistic wing we could sign (who wouldn’t end up as Casspi 2.0) is Dahntay Jones. Also, if there’s any way we can bring Delonte back here, DO IT CHRIS.
I agree with going after Batum. I also think they should go after Steve Novak. I think he would help get Waiters and Irving some open looks and he would be able to shoot a ton of transition 3 pointers where Irving kicks it to him.
They are the experts, it is just that some teams have better experts
I would be happy if we brought back Jamario and DaJuan Summers.
The Moooon is rising!
And of course I would love to see Delonte in a Cavs uniform again some day. Redz ftw
That’s life.
What about a 24 year old unrestricted FA C that’s a 7′-0″ 285 lbs. and a former #1 overall pick, who desperately needs a change of scenery and may be ready to play by the second half of the season?
We need a legitimate SF from that list.
Knicks already said they’re bringing Novak back. Feeling is mutual. He is staying with NY. I’d LOVE to get him in Cleveland.
Jamario Moon? No way, dude is useless. Had a few nice alley-oops when the D was focused on Lebron and left him open, but that’s about it. Vintage Moon: The game the Cavs broke the losing streak record in Dallas, I remember Moon had the ball in his hands at the arc with a few seconds left on the clock, nobody guarding him, Cavs down by three. He visibly panicked, passed to Parker, who jacked up a brick with a hand in his face, game over, history made.
Am I the only one that got stressed seeing that we only have Kyrie until 2015/16? Guess ever since “the decision” I’m going to worry about every Cleveland athlete from now on…
he’s something of a team MVP as well (apologies to Aldridge)
not how it works in the NBA. do you think a team could make Irving an offer we wouldn’t match?
assume Budinger, Batum, Nash, G-Force, Novak, Dragic, Felton, Lin, etc. are not real options for the Cavs
SF – most intriguing realistic option Sam Young? not great by any means though.
PG – most intriguing realistic option Jerryd Bayless? Scoring G off the bench?
Though he’s played mostly PF to this point, I’d like to see the Cavs make a play for Ersan Ilyasova from Milwaukee. He’s only 25 and coming off of a breakout season with the Bucks. Skilled offensive player with a solid jumper. He would be a great replacement for Antwan. He complements Tristan at the 4 and could log some time behind Gee at the 3 (certainly an improvement over Casspi).