6 offseason moves the Cleveland Cavaliers must make to beat the Warriors

6 moves the Cleveland Cavaliers must make this offseason to beat the Warriors in 2018

Jun 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue talks with forward LeBron James (23) against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter in game five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with guard JR Smith (5) against the Golden State Warriors during the second half in game five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Iman or JR

If the Cavs are going to pull off a trade, they’re going to need make the monetary amounts match, so that probably means kicking in J.R. Smith or Iman Shumpert in any potential trade.

Smith will make $13.7 million next season, while Shumpert is owed around $10 million.

If pressed, the Cavs should looked to move Shumpert. Cleveland can’t count on him offensively, while defensively, Shumpert has a good reputation as a good perimeter defender, but he hasn’t been overly impressive in helping get stops.

By today’s standards, Shumpert should be viewed as super affordable for a starting caliber wing player. He’s due $10.3 million next season, and $11 million during the final year of his contract in 2018.

It took Smith until Game 3 to finally start earning the four-year, $57 million contract he signed before the season. The Cavs do need shooters and Smith can surprise some on defense when he applies himself.

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