Cleveland Cavaliers: 2016-17 Season Outlook
2016-17 Roster
Chris Andersen, C
Mike Dunleavy, SG
Kay Felder, PG
Channing Frye, PF
John Holland, SG
Kyrie Irving, PG
LeBron James, SF
Richard Jefferson, SF
Dahntay Jones, SG
James Jones, SG
DeAndre Liggins, SG
Kevin Love, PF
Jordan McRae, SG
Iman Shumpert, SG
J.R. Smith, SG
Tristan Thompson, C
Mo Williams, PG
Offseason Additions
Chris Andersen (free agency, Memphis Grizzlies), Mike Dunleavy (trade, Chicago Bulls), Kay Felder (54th overall draft pick, Oakland), John Holland (free agency, unsigned), DeAndre Liggins (free agency, unsigned)
Offseason Subtractions
Matthew Dellavedova (sign-and-trade, Milwaukee Bucks), Sasha Kaun (trade, Philadelphia 76ers), Timofey Mozgov (free agency, Los Angeles Lakers), Mo Williams (retirement?)
Quick Thoughts
For the most part, the Cleveland Cavaliers are pretty much the same team as last year. To no one’s surprise, LeBron James re-upped with his hometown team, though it was unexpected to see him agree to a three-year deal rather than another 1 + 1 deal.
With the Big Three (plus Tristan Thompson) locked in for the foreseeable future, Cleveland’s biggest offseason objective was re-signing J.R. Smith. As is the case with most Rich Paul clients, it came right down to the wire, but the Cavs eventually doled out a three-year, $57 million deal to ensure the starting lineup of a championship team remained intact.
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With distractions and a gaping hole at shooting guard averted, the Cavaliers can focus on the upcoming season. They did, however, lose some considerable backcourt depth with Delly accepting Milwaukee’s hefty offer and Mo Williams (possibly?) on the way out.
That means rookie Kay Felder and possibly even a rarely used reserve like Jordan McRae could see some time at the point guard spot off the bench. With Timofey Mozgov accepting a gargantuan pay raise from the Lakers, the Cavs will also have to rely on Channing Frye or the aging Birdman to back up Tristan Thompson at the 5.
However, depth was never Cleveland’s selling point during their title run, and that will be the case again in 2016-17. Mike Dunleavy was a steal if he can stay healthy, but for the most part, the Cavaliers will once again make their money with one of basketball’s best starting lineups.
Next: Storyline 1: Resting The Big Three