The Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t afraid to go for broke during NBA free agency. If a few things go their way, they could be making a play for any of these superstars in the next three years.
For one moment, let’s take a step back from reality. Instead of filling our mouths with words like “can’t” or “won’t,” let’s live in a world where anything is possible. Oh hey, look! You’re in this crazy place called the NBA.
Just look at the Cleveland Cavaliers, for example. Not even a year ago, it looked like they were headed for many years of continued prosperity. They had just won the 2016 NBA Finals, overcoming a 3-1 deficit to crush the Golden State Warriors‘ hopes and dreams. The roster was looking good, even though it was getting a bit expensive to keep all of that talent.
Then, the last year happened. They lost in the 2017 Finals, word got out that LeBron James might leave, and now Kyrie Irving reportedly wants out too. They got rid of arguably the most successful general manager in franchise history, enraging the team’s stars in the process. No matter what they do, the bleeding doesn’t stop.
For now, though, I want to look ahead to a time when the Cavaliers don’t have so many problems. More specifically, I want to get a glimpse at a few superstars they could target in the next three years to help ease the pain and suffering they’re currently enduring.
Related Story: Cavaliers should trade LeBron instead of Kyrie
With that in mind, here are five wildly ambitious free agent targets who could find themselves in Cleveland’s crosshairs between now and 2020 free agency. They all face varying odds of joining the Cavaliers, but the point here is to imagine the possibilities rather than dispel them.
Draymond Green, PF, Golden State Warriors
When he’ll be available: Free agent in 2020
For all of the beef Draymond Green has had with the Cavaliers, it would be quite the shocker to see him take his talents to Cleveland in 2020. Yet, with the Warriors’ current financial situation, it could somehow become an option.
The Warriors only have so much money to spend. With Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant not going anywhere, it will become more difficult and expensive to keep this bunch together year after year. Klay Thompson is headed for free agency in 2019, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Golden State find a way to retain him.
If that’s the case, Green will likely hit the open market the next offseason. There simply isn’t enough spending power for all of this elite talent, especially with the luxury tax ripping a hole in ownership’s pockets.
There’s a good chance the Warriors already have a potential replacement in rookie Jordan Bell. He’s a young, undersized power forward who wins with a relentless motor and determination. Sound familiar?
If Green were to become available, you have to believe the Cavaliers would be interested. By 2020, they’ve probably already traded away Kevin Love and Irving. There’s a good chance James has bailed by then as well, so there will be plenty of cap space to go around.
Likely. Unlikely. Whatever. We’re focused on pondering the possibilities.
Isaiah Thomas, PG, Boston Celtics
When he’ll be available: Free agent in 2018
There is a lot of talent set to be available during 2018 free agency. One of the more intriguing options headed for the open market is Isaiah Thomas, who is currently the star of the show for the Boston Celtics.
So why would he bail on Boston and join the Cavaliers? He probably wouldn’t, but I didn’t say these situations all had to make perfect sense.
From a need standpoint, though, it works for Cleveland. It’s looking more and more likely they’ll trade away Irving before the 2017-18 season tips off. That’ll leave this team rather thin at point guard, an issue they may not be able to properly address during the season. If that’s the case, free agency will be a golden opportunity to get the job done.
Look no further than Thomas, a dynamic talent at point guard. While it would be an arduous task to make the money work, it would absolutely be worth the hassle. He’d slot right in as a premier playmaker for the Cavaliers, even if James does stay put next year. While not a perfect replacement for Irving, he’d pick up right where the irate point guard left off.
With Irving and James potentially jumping ship next July, Cleveland wouldn’t have too much trouble finding the cap space to sign Thomas if he became available.
Paul George, SF, Oklahoma City Thunder
When he’ll be available: Free agent in 2018
Yes, I know. The majority of folks around the league simply assume Paul George will be signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. While I’m sure Magic Johnson is convinced that’s what the future holds, it’s no guarantee PG-13 decides to pull the “returning home” routine.
Depending on how the Oklahoma City Thunder do this year, George could opt to stay put. Even if he does enter the free agency pool, chances are he fields offers from numerous teams. The Lakers aren’t going to be the only club to get a shot at him, even if they do have the early edge.
If and when he does become available, George should take his time, hearing out all the contenders who want to pitch him on their plans for the future. Assuming that was his approach, I can’t imagine the Cavaliers not throwing their hat into the mix.
In fact, they already attempted to bring George to Ohio. When the Indiana Pacers were looking for a trade partner earlier this offseason, Cleveland allegedly came very close to making a deal. Here’s this from ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski, via NBC Sports’ Dan Feldman:
"“Koby Altman was very close to a deal on June 30 for Paul George. It was so close, in fact, that Indiana was about to give permission to Paul George to get on the phone with Dan Gilbert. Indiana backed out of it and did the Oklahoma City deal.”"
If the Cavaliers get another shot at George, they won’t let him slip through their fingers again. Especially if James takes his talents elsewhere, Cleveland will need a new superstar to hang its hopes on. It’s the perfect opportunity to keep this team atop the Eastern Conference.
Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder
When he’ll be available: Free agent in 2018 (player option) or 2019
If not George, then maybe the Cavaliers can turn their attention to a different Thunder star. While the team is still hoping its can ink Russell Westbrook to a super max deal, it’s unclear what the reigning MVP’s intentions are.
If he hits the open market, though, it’ll be a feeding frenzy. Every team with cap space (and even some without) will be banging on his door trying to land a meeting. It seems highly unlikely the Thunder let him get that far, but crazier things have happened in the NBA. I mean, LeBron left Cleveland and then came back. Kevin Durant signed with the Warriors. This league is madness.
Obviously the Cavaliers would love to bring Westbrook aboard. His presence puts them right back in the throne as the unquestioned kings of the East. He’d actually be an upgrade over Irving, who we already know seems destined to depart from Cleveland soon. If James is still around, the two would form an unstoppable scoring duo.
The Warriors have two MVP-caliber superstars. Why can’t the Cavaliers?
If Irving is gone and some other pieces are shifted, Cleveland might find the cap space to get a deal done. It would be difficult, but no one ever said winning championships is easy. Even if James says sayonara, Westbrook lands in a comparable situation with a better supporting cast.
More importantly, he gets out of Oklahoma City. No more suspect seafood for Westbrook.
Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Antonio Spurs
When he’ll be available: Free agent in 2019 (player option) or 2020
This would be the ultimate consolation prize for losing LeBron, hands down.
Leonard can technically hit the market as early as 2019. At this moment, though, the odds seemed heavily stacked against that ever happening. The San Antonio Spurs would be absolutely insane to ever let him get anywhere near free agency, and they know it.
More from Hoops Habit
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
More than likely, he’ll have a new deal in place before the 2018-19 season has even begun. Leonard has already proven himself to be among the game’s best, earning MVP award considerations this past season. He’s the present and future for the Spurs, which means Gregg Popovich isn’t letting him go anywhere.
And yet maybe, just maybe, Leonard doesn’t want to be in Texas anymore. Instead, maybe he’d like a quieter life up in Ohio. Maybe he’d like to be the heir apparent to James’ throne as the leader of the Cavaliers. I know it sounds asinine, but I don’t care.
Instead, let’s imagine a scenario in which Leonard tests free agency, allowing all of the NBA’s best teams to duke it out for the right to sign him. Much like the aforementioned Westbrook scenario, it would be a mad dash for the opportunity to just meet with Leonard. Every team league-wide would be looking for ways to clear cap space.
Next: The biggest winners and losers of 2017 NBA free agency
In this hypothetical scenario, the Cavaliers would obviously be in play — especially if James is calling somewhere else home. Inking Leonard to a deal would give them their superstar forward back and place them back atop the East. The odds are overwhelmingly slim, but that’s not the point of this exercise.