Cleveland Cavaliers: Most recent targets don’t cut it in free agency
By Ryan Rosko
Better options for the Cleveland Cavaliers are either no longer available or they continue to go down the wrong path in search of talent.
Going down the veteran route is a worthwhile investment for a championship-level team like the Cleveland Cavaliers. The problem though is how they go about adding such veterans.
Had they not gotten rid of former general manager David Griffin, perhaps things could have worked out differently with forward Paul George or guard/forward Jimmy Butler. Instead, fans and the organization now must ask “what next”?
Adding the necessary top talent now will be beyond difficult without Griffin and the reported targets of Cleveland does not help that cause.
According to The Athletic-Cle‘s Jason Lloyd, Cleveland has targeted veteran point guard Jose Calderon.
Cavs have targeted Jose Calderon to be their backup point guard, per source. The interest is mutual.
— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) July 1, 2017
Meanwhile, according to TNT‘s David Aldridge, Cleveland is also in pursuit of veteran power forward Zach Randolph.
So...as I was gonna say before the sun collapsed...hear Cleveland also has interest in Zach Randolph. Contact expected via phone Saturday.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 1, 2017
First off, how is Calderon still an option to NBA teams? His prime past him up years ago! Secondly, I get the idea of adding veterans, but Cleveland has had that type of nucleus on their bench that past few seasons and has not always had success.
More from Factory of Sadness
- Bet $1 on ANYTHING to Unlock $200 Guaranteed with Crazy Bet365 Ohio Promo!
- 3 reasons why the Cleveland Cavaliers have a good shot to win the East next year
- It might be too soon to say it but it looks like the Cleveland Guardians are back
- Are the Cleveland Browns a Top 10 roster heading into the 2023 season?
- Eastern Conference Solidarity: Back the Heat with $5 Bet, Win $200 Bonus INSTANTLY with DraftKings Promo
Instead, why not look to someone (maybe not exactly, but the same type of player) like guard Ben McLemore? He is much younger and can develop in the Cavs’ system after being thrown in the Sacramento Kings’ saga since being drafted out of Kansas.
According to basketball-reference.com, Calderon played in just 41 games (a half of a NBA season) at just over 13 minutes a game. During that time, he contributed 3.4 points and 2.1 assists.
Via the same website, Randolph’s prime is also in the rear view window, but at least he can still contribute to his team, having averaged 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds in 73 games last season.
To knock off the Golden State Warriors, a balance between added younger players and solid contribution off the bench is needed. Who knows if Randolph can keep those numbers steady next season should he join the Cavs.
Regardless if he does not or not, neither Randolph nor Calderon puts Cleveland over the top. Adding one or the other won’t impact the Cavaliers’ bench as much as it would if both joins. Hopefully just one is signed.
Next: Love would be open to a trade
As everyone waits for Cleveland’s additions to come in, hopefully the light turns on for them as they realize going strictly with the older veterans is not going to work. In some way, younger players like McLemore must be added to their roster.