The Cleveland Cavaliers still have a few spots on their 15-man roster and are reportedly interested in adding one more free agent before training camp, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. According to Fedor, the team isn’t targeting any specific position but is focused on “playable depth.”
NBA Rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers Eyeing Christian Wood and Kelly Oubre
Cleveland has 12 players with fully guaranteed contracts for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Sam Merrill’s $1.9 million deal is nonguaranteed until Jan. 10, 2024. He was once known as a shooter at Utah State, but Merrill has not shot well until this year with the Cleveland Charge.
Merrill continued showcasing his shooting prowess this past week at the 2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas. In five games, the 27-year-old wing averaged 20.4 points. He added 4.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 28 minutes of action per game. The First-Team All-NBA 2K24 Summer League selection also compiled a 46/45/88 shooting line.
As a result of Merrill’s contract and summer performance, he will likely remain with the Cavaliers at the start of the season. Thus, the team has two open spots and is about $2.7 million below the luxury tax. Given that Cleveland ownership has no interest in becoming a taxpayer, they will likely add just one player at the veteran minimum.
Sources have told Fedor that the Cavaliers have shown interest in some of the top remaining unrestricted free agents, including center Christian Wood and Kelly Oubre Jr. Fedor added that Oubre was considered the team’s Plan B if they couldn’t land Max Strus via a sign-and-trade.
Fedor also mentioned restricted free agent P.J. Washington. He believed the Cavaliers might have enough expendable salary (starting with Ricky Rubio and Dean Wade) to nab Washington in a sign-and-trade.
Analysis
I have discussed Wood and Oubre’s availability and abilities at length, so I won’t add much more here. Both players would have great fits with the Cavaliers.
One of Cleveland’s goals this offseason has been securing some shooting. However, the Cavaliers have yet to do that besides adding Strus. They could also use a reliable scorer behind starters Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Oubre and Wood fit that bill, with Wood capable of playing the four and five while Oubre doesn’t fit at the center spot. There have been rumors throughout the summer that other teams are interested in the free-agent duo.
Washington would also be an excellent fit for the Cavaliers coming off the bench. But it is unlikely Cleveland has the draft assets necessary to make a deal happen. Also, I’m not sure that Charlotte would be interested in Rubio or Wade. They are older role players with extra years on their contracts.
Other Options
The Cavaliers have plenty of options since they aren’t too picky about the player’s position.
Will Barton is coming off a difficult season 2022-23 campaign with the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors. But the 32-year-old has a solid track record and can provide three-point shooting and some defense. He averages 1.3 threes at a 35.5% clip for his career.
Hamidou Diallo revived his dying career with the Detroit Pistons. He can play the wing and four while also being able to score and rebound. His best attribute, besides being versatile, is his defense.
Justise Winslow is a versatile two-way player plagued by injuries throughout his career. While the 27-year-old has shown the ability to put the ball in the basket, he is not a good shooter.
Derrick Jones Jr. is a slasher who makes his bread on the defensive end. While Jones has improved as a three-point shooter, he is still considered below average.
Bismack Biyombo is a fantastic rebounder and shot-blocker that is very limited offensively. The 30-year-old center would be an upgrade over Damian Jones, who is currently the Cavaliers’ backup, although Mobley also can play the five. The Los Angeles Lakers are also reportedly considering Biyombo for their 14th spot.
Blake Griffin is not the player he once was. But the 34-year-old can still give a team 15 quality minutes at the four or five.
Terence Davis is an electric scorer off the bench who is a capable three-point shooter. However, the 26-year-old guard is slightly below average defensively.
