After the Paul George and Jimmy Butler trade rumors fell through after the 2017 NBA Draft, the Cavs have maintained a pretty non-exciting offseason thus far. The Cavs have only reached a deal with backup PG Jose Calderon on a one-year, veteran minimum deal and have reached a three year extension with sharpshooter Kyle Korver. Also, the Cavs are among many teams reaching out to Memphis Grizzlies PF Zach Randolph, but are rumored to be a non-likely destination due to the fact that they can only offer the MDE, or Mid-Level Exception, which is just over five million dollars. Although the Cavs are certainly in a tricky financial situation with the salary cap and luxury tax, and even were close to dealing SG Iman Shumpert to the Houston Rockets just to lower the hefty tax, the Cavs still need to fill out their bench and improve the quality of it, which was clearly a major weakness in the 2017 NBA Finals. Here is a list of a few players who the Cavs may be able to sign for the minimum that can somewhat help the quality of the bench and have a major impact depth-wise towards the end of the season.
1. K.J. McDaniels - SG/SF
College: Clemson
2016/17 Team: Brooklyn Nets
2016/17 Stats: 4.2 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 0.3 APG. 10.3 MPG, 45.6 FG%.
Player Comparison: Poor Man's Andre Igoudala
K.J. McDaniels, the 32nd overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, has already played for a few teams in his short NBA career so far, including the Philadephia 76ers, Houston Rockets, and Brooklyn Nets. He was a highly touted draft prospect coming out of Clemson, leading Clemson in 2013/14 in points, rebounds, blocks, steals, and three-pointers and is one of only two players in ACC history to lead their team in all of those catergories, Josh Howard was the other. Certainly, his three point shot has yet to carry over to his NBA game, shooting a dismal 30% last year. But one area that K.J. could provide help to the Cavs would be versatility. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches and having a lengthy wingspan, McDaniels certainly has the ability to guard both the Shooting Guard and Small Forward position, which would be a great asset to have off the bench. In fact, McDaniels was the 2014 ACC Conference Defensive Player of the Year and his monster block on Greivis Vasquez in his rookie campaign is his only major highlight of his career thus far. Certainly, for McDaniels to have a huge impact off the bench, he needs to improve his three point game since he will get some open looks, but McDaniels is a terrific athlete who could massively help improve the Cavs' defensive woes. Signing him may be tough as he will likely ask for more than the minimum since he is a young player, but he is someone I wouldn't mind the Cavs reaching out too.
2. Brandon Bass - PF
College - LSU
2016/17 Team: Los Angeles Clippers
2016/17 Stats: 5.6 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 0.4 APG. 11.1 MPG, 57.5 FG%
Player Comparison: J.J. Hickson/Glen Davis
Although no rumors about Bass have started to swirl around yet, teams may start to reach out to Bass once the top-tier free agents come off the board for the majority. LeBron should be pretty familiar with Bass, the 33rd overall pick to the New Orleans Hornets in the 2005 NBA Draft, as Bass was a major thorn in the side to LeBron and the Heat's playoff runs. Bass was a member of the Boston Celtics and was an integral member of the second unit, including posting his career best numbers in 2011/12 with 12.5 PPG and 6.2 RPG. Although not as strong as a three point marksman as Channing Frye, Bass still has a sturdy mid range game and is a tenacious rebounder at just 6 feet 8 inches. Bass has always been a pretty high basketball IQ type player and if the Cavs decide to go small, in a pinch, Bass could play Center to give Thompson or Love a break. For the Cavs, Bass likely won't see huge action, but if Zach Randolph signs elsewhere, Bass could be a significantly cheaper option.
3. Tony Allen - SG
College: Oklahoma State
2016/17 Team: Memphis Grizzlies
2016/17 Stats; 9.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.6 SPG. 27 MPG, 46.1 FG%
Many people expected Allen to be one of the first free agents off the board, with the 13 year NBA veteran quickly signing with playoff teams such as the Cavs or the Rockets, but Allen is still available. The Memphis Grizzlies reportedly would love to have Allen return as he is a fan favorite, but the Grizziles, like the Cavs, are in salary cap trouble. Mike Conley is a max contract player, Marc Gasol makes 22 million a year, and until after the 2020 season, they are stuck with Chandler Parsons, maybe one of the worst signings of recent history. Even though it is likely that Allen will only get the minimum from teams, it is a good possibility that Allen would want to come to the Cavs, a team with serious championship potential unlike the Grizzlies. Allen, a six time All-NBA Defensive Team pick, is still regarded by most as one of the top defenders in the league, following only Kawhi Leonard and Avery Bradley. Tony Allen would have a huge role off the bench; would tremendously help the second-unit defense especially both when Korver is playing as he is a defensive liability and if Koby Altman and the Cavs front office decide to trade Iman Shumpert. Allen definitely is not a reliable three point shooter, but he is a strong ball handler and can still attack the rim and score when he needs to. Allen would be a huge defensive help in the playoffs, guarding either Steph Curry or Klay Thompson, especially with the tenacity and aggressiveness that he plays with
4. Mike Scott - PF
2016/17 Team: Atlanta Hawks/Phoenix Suns
2016/17 Stats: 2.5 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 0.9 APG. 10.8 MPG, 87.5 FT%.
Player Comparison: More Athletic James Jones
Mike Scott, the former Virginia Cavalier, had an abysmal 2016/17 campaign that ended abruptly after being traded from Atlanta to Phoenix than being waived the next day. Scott probably wouldn't be the prettiest of picks or a pick that would get fans super excited, but Scott could certainly be a serviceable end of the bench guy for the Cavs. Scott had his best year in 2013/14, coming off the bench and averaging 9.6 PPG and in 2015/16, he posted a career high 39% 3PG. With LeBron and Kyrie attracting constant teams, Scott could have the opportunity to come in and hit some key threes. Also, if the Cavs decide to trade Frye to shed cap space and lower the luxury cap penalty, Scott could somewhat fill that void. Amid poor play this past season, including multiple assignments to the NBA D-League and injury concerns, missing 11 games in 2014 with a toe injury and missing four weeks this past season with knee soreness, Scott probably isn't a likely candidate to suit up for the Cavs next season.
5. Arron Afflalo - SG/SF
College: UCLA
2016/2017 Team: Sacramento Kings
2016/17 Stats: 8.4 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.3 APG. 44 FG%, 41 3FG%.
Player Comparison: Raja Bell/Courtney Lee
For the first half of the season, Affalo was a pretty good contributor for the Kings, averaging nearly 26 minutes and starting 45 games until losing minutes to Buddy Hield following the DeMarcus Cousins trade. Although Afflalo is a lackluster defensive player, he is still a premier three point shooter including shooting 41 percent from three this season and shooting better than 38 percent in seven of his ten career years of experience. Being on the floor with LeBron and Kyrie at the same time, Afflalo is going to get more open looks which he will definitely knock down. To come to the Cavs, Afflalo is going to have to take a major deduction in terms of salary, after signing for 12.5 million with the Kings this past summer. On the rumor front, it has been pretty quiet thus far, but hopefully the Cavs will be in contact soon, especially since his former Kings teammate and potential Cavs free agent target Ben McLemore just signed a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. Hopefully Afflalo can join the Cavs and help on the pursuit for a second NBA championship, an opportunity he never had on prior teams such as the Nuggets, Magic, Knicks, and Kings.
Statistical Information Courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.
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1. K.J. McDaniels - SG/SF
College: Clemson
2016/17 Team: Brooklyn Nets
2016/17 Stats: 4.2 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 0.3 APG. 10.3 MPG, 45.6 FG%.
Player Comparison: Poor Man's Andre Igoudala
K.J. McDaniels, the 32nd overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, has already played for a few teams in his short NBA career so far, including the Philadephia 76ers, Houston Rockets, and Brooklyn Nets. He was a highly touted draft prospect coming out of Clemson, leading Clemson in 2013/14 in points, rebounds, blocks, steals, and three-pointers and is one of only two players in ACC history to lead their team in all of those catergories, Josh Howard was the other. Certainly, his three point shot has yet to carry over to his NBA game, shooting a dismal 30% last year. But one area that K.J. could provide help to the Cavs would be versatility. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches and having a lengthy wingspan, McDaniels certainly has the ability to guard both the Shooting Guard and Small Forward position, which would be a great asset to have off the bench. In fact, McDaniels was the 2014 ACC Conference Defensive Player of the Year and his monster block on Greivis Vasquez in his rookie campaign is his only major highlight of his career thus far. Certainly, for McDaniels to have a huge impact off the bench, he needs to improve his three point game since he will get some open looks, but McDaniels is a terrific athlete who could massively help improve the Cavs' defensive woes. Signing him may be tough as he will likely ask for more than the minimum since he is a young player, but he is someone I wouldn't mind the Cavs reaching out too.
2. Brandon Bass - PF
College - LSU
2016/17 Team: Los Angeles Clippers
2016/17 Stats: 5.6 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 0.4 APG. 11.1 MPG, 57.5 FG%
Player Comparison: J.J. Hickson/Glen Davis
Although no rumors about Bass have started to swirl around yet, teams may start to reach out to Bass once the top-tier free agents come off the board for the majority. LeBron should be pretty familiar with Bass, the 33rd overall pick to the New Orleans Hornets in the 2005 NBA Draft, as Bass was a major thorn in the side to LeBron and the Heat's playoff runs. Bass was a member of the Boston Celtics and was an integral member of the second unit, including posting his career best numbers in 2011/12 with 12.5 PPG and 6.2 RPG. Although not as strong as a three point marksman as Channing Frye, Bass still has a sturdy mid range game and is a tenacious rebounder at just 6 feet 8 inches. Bass has always been a pretty high basketball IQ type player and if the Cavs decide to go small, in a pinch, Bass could play Center to give Thompson or Love a break. For the Cavs, Bass likely won't see huge action, but if Zach Randolph signs elsewhere, Bass could be a significantly cheaper option.
3. Tony Allen - SG
College: Oklahoma State
2016/17 Team: Memphis Grizzlies
2016/17 Stats; 9.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.6 SPG. 27 MPG, 46.1 FG%
Many people expected Allen to be one of the first free agents off the board, with the 13 year NBA veteran quickly signing with playoff teams such as the Cavs or the Rockets, but Allen is still available. The Memphis Grizzlies reportedly would love to have Allen return as he is a fan favorite, but the Grizziles, like the Cavs, are in salary cap trouble. Mike Conley is a max contract player, Marc Gasol makes 22 million a year, and until after the 2020 season, they are stuck with Chandler Parsons, maybe one of the worst signings of recent history. Even though it is likely that Allen will only get the minimum from teams, it is a good possibility that Allen would want to come to the Cavs, a team with serious championship potential unlike the Grizzlies. Allen, a six time All-NBA Defensive Team pick, is still regarded by most as one of the top defenders in the league, following only Kawhi Leonard and Avery Bradley. Tony Allen would have a huge role off the bench; would tremendously help the second-unit defense especially both when Korver is playing as he is a defensive liability and if Koby Altman and the Cavs front office decide to trade Iman Shumpert. Allen definitely is not a reliable three point shooter, but he is a strong ball handler and can still attack the rim and score when he needs to. Allen would be a huge defensive help in the playoffs, guarding either Steph Curry or Klay Thompson, especially with the tenacity and aggressiveness that he plays with
4. Mike Scott - PF
2016/17 Team: Atlanta Hawks/Phoenix Suns
2016/17 Stats: 2.5 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 0.9 APG. 10.8 MPG, 87.5 FT%.
Player Comparison: More Athletic James Jones
Mike Scott, the former Virginia Cavalier, had an abysmal 2016/17 campaign that ended abruptly after being traded from Atlanta to Phoenix than being waived the next day. Scott probably wouldn't be the prettiest of picks or a pick that would get fans super excited, but Scott could certainly be a serviceable end of the bench guy for the Cavs. Scott had his best year in 2013/14, coming off the bench and averaging 9.6 PPG and in 2015/16, he posted a career high 39% 3PG. With LeBron and Kyrie attracting constant teams, Scott could have the opportunity to come in and hit some key threes. Also, if the Cavs decide to trade Frye to shed cap space and lower the luxury cap penalty, Scott could somewhat fill that void. Amid poor play this past season, including multiple assignments to the NBA D-League and injury concerns, missing 11 games in 2014 with a toe injury and missing four weeks this past season with knee soreness, Scott probably isn't a likely candidate to suit up for the Cavs next season.
5. Arron Afflalo - SG/SF
College: UCLA
2016/2017 Team: Sacramento Kings
2016/17 Stats: 8.4 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.3 APG. 44 FG%, 41 3FG%.
Player Comparison: Raja Bell/Courtney Lee
For the first half of the season, Affalo was a pretty good contributor for the Kings, averaging nearly 26 minutes and starting 45 games until losing minutes to Buddy Hield following the DeMarcus Cousins trade. Although Afflalo is a lackluster defensive player, he is still a premier three point shooter including shooting 41 percent from three this season and shooting better than 38 percent in seven of his ten career years of experience. Being on the floor with LeBron and Kyrie at the same time, Afflalo is going to get more open looks which he will definitely knock down. To come to the Cavs, Afflalo is going to have to take a major deduction in terms of salary, after signing for 12.5 million with the Kings this past summer. On the rumor front, it has been pretty quiet thus far, but hopefully the Cavs will be in contact soon, especially since his former Kings teammate and potential Cavs free agent target Ben McLemore just signed a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. Hopefully Afflalo can join the Cavs and help on the pursuit for a second NBA championship, an opportunity he never had on prior teams such as the Nuggets, Magic, Knicks, and Kings.
Statistical Information Courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.
Thanks for taking the time to read this! Comment below and be sure to follow us on Twitter @ CavsPressBox
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