Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 wildly ambitious free agency targets in next 3 years

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.