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Cavs: 4 restricted free agent point guards Cleveland should go after

By Chad Porto

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on February 28, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on February 28, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 15: Nico Mannion #2 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 15, 2021 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 Lauren Bacho/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 15: Nico Mannion #2 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 15, 2021 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 Lauren Bacho/Getty Images) /

Nico Mannion

Of everyone on this list, Nico Mannion seems like the most likely to move onto a new team in 2021. Mannion is only entering his second season in the NBA, having finished his rookie year bouncing between Golden State and their G-League affiliate. Mannion didn’t do much to impress with the Warriors but in the G-League with the Santa Cruz Warriors, Mannion’s per-game stats saw him average 19.3 points, 6.9 assists, while shooting 40% from the floor and 36.5% from three-point land.

He’s only 20-years-old, and could absolutely be someone worth building around. Not only that, but if the Cavs overpay for Mannion, the Warriors would be more than likely to let him go, not wanting to kill what flexibility they have on a guard they know won’t help them in 2021-2022.

Mannion would be someone the Cavs could develop, as he’s very athletic and has a great shooting touch. If he can just develop into a great defender, then Mannion could seemingly take over the starting duties at point guard at some point; if he continues to improve over time. If he doesn’t improve and this is what he is, then that’ll be a tough pill to swallow.

Hopefully, he does pan out, and if not, he’ll only be a few million against the cap. Not like Kevin Love’s $30-plus million, so Mannion’s deal, good or bad, won’t be nearly as crippling as others.

He’s got potential, all he needs is the opportunity to prove it.

dark. Next. Cavs: 3 unrestricted free agent point guards the Cavaliers should pursue

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