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Cleveland Cavaliers: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the fourth quarter with guard J.R. Smith (5) against the Golden State Warriors in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the fourth quarter with guard J.R. Smith (5) against the Golden State Warriors in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Cavaliers
June 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Richard Jefferson (24) speaks to guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) during a stoppage in play against Golden State Warriors during the first half in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

No Deal For Delly

When the Milwaukee Bucks made restricted agent Matthew Dellavedova a whopping four-year, $38.4 million offer, it puts the Cavs in a tough spot. Sure, everyone in Cleveland loved Delly. He had underrated value as the team’s backup point guard last season, averaging 7.5 points and 4.4 assists per game on 41 percent three-point shooting.

But was he worth $9.6 million a year for a Cavs team that had finally been vindicated with a ring and was already hard-pressed for cap space thanks to its massive bankroll? Absolutely not, and it was no surprise to quickly learn that Cleveland wasn’t going to match that offer:

Luckily for the Cavs though, they were able to turn Milwaukee’s offer sheet into a sign-and-trade, ensuring they didn’t lose their backup floor general for nothing. All they got in return were the draft rights to Albert Miralles and a $4.8 million trade exception, but they were able to put that to good use not long after.

The 34-year-old Miralles will never have an NBA career, but the trade exception came in handy when the Chicago Bulls needed to dump salary to sign Dwyane Wade.

Losing their backup point guard and leader in reckless hustle plays hurts, but the Cavs at least got something out of it and can still turn to Mo Williams or rookie Kay Felder to replace him.

Grade: B-

Next: Dunleavy Deal

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