Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 NBA free agents to target with the mid-level exception

Rudy Gay

Rudy Gay is coming off an achilles injury last January that limited him to just 30 games.

Frankly, Gay’s uncertain future is the only reason the Cavs have a shot at signing him to the mid-level.

For one year, Gay can take the $5 million and prove to the rest of the league he can still play and hope for a bigger payday next summer.

When healthy, Gay’s been the model of consistency, averaging 18.4 points per game game throughout his 11-year NBA career.

Plus, Gay can defend, ranking eighth in defensive real plus/minus last season.

King James Gospel’s Quenton Albertie broke down the benefits of Gay coming to Cleveland.

"…After getting paid $14 .3 million last season, he’ll be receiving a third of that amount after having a serious injury at 30-years-old. With a mid-level exception, a player can sign a three-year contract. While Gay would likely like an opt-out date in such a contract, the financial security of a three-year contract should be a valuable selling point considering the injury he sustained. He won’t be forced to play a major role early in the season and strain his injury. He’ll be allowed to slowly regain his form beside (or behind) the Big Three."

Recovering from an Achilles injury has come along way thanks to breakthoughs in medical treatment, but it’s still a serious injury that takes time to heal from.

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However, the Cavs may have no choice but to buy a lottery ticket with Gay’s name on it.