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Cleveland Cavaliers: 10 potential targets in 2019 NBA free agency

By Tony Pesta

CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 5: Julius Randle #30 of the New Orleans Pelicans puts pressure on Cedi Osman #16 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on January 5, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 5: Julius Randle #30 of the New Orleans Pelicans puts pressure on Cedi Osman #16 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on January 5, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

7. Harrison Barnes

The former 2012-13 All-Rookie team member Harrison Barnes has had an interesting NBA career. Going from a key member to the Golden State Warriors championship run in 2015, to one of the main reasons they blew a 3-1 lead in the 2016 NBA Finals, Barnes has shown some big ups and downs in his game.

Even after his poor performance in the 2016 Finals, Barnes elected to hit the free agency market and bet on himself. He joined the Dallas Mavericks for a hefty four-year, $94 million deal. After just two seasons with Dallas, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings, where he has no chosen not to opt into the final year of his contract, missing out on over $30 million.

His reason for this? Well, Barnes is likely looking to sign a long-term deal for less money per year, but more money overall. He realizes he probably won’t ever get a contract worth more than $30 million a year ever again, but he can find a four-year deal worth more than that in total.

In short, maybe Barnes will realize he won’t ever be the max contract player he once thought he was. Instead, he might be prepared to take on a lesser role with a rebuilding team (or a competitive one). The Cavaliers can offer him a chance to be one of their main scorers with the luxury of not having too much pressure on him.

This deal feels worth it for both sides. Barnes could fill in as a wing scorer for a team that desperately needs it. After all, he has averaged 15 or more points per game in his previous three seasons.

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