NBA Free Agents 2011: Undrafted Players the Cleveland Cavaliers Should Target

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ weakness at the shooting guard and small forward positions could be remedied by bringing in a couple of undrafted free agents at the season’s start. After the 2011 NBA Draft, many quality players were left in the cold after the growing trend of selected foreign players in the second round, with no expectation that those players will be playing the next season.

Undrafted free agents are still a long shot to make a lasting impact in the NBA, but John Starks, Bruce Bowen, Avery Johnson, Raja Bell and even former Cavalier Jamario Moon have shown it is possible to reconcile a career after a disappointing draft night.

The following players could follow the same path.

Jamine Peterson, Providence/New Mexico Thunderbirds (6'6", 230 lbs.)

Peterson’s upside is as a scoring and rebounding threat, which he showed at Providence during his junior year, averaging 19.6 points and 10.2 rebounds a game. His downside is attached to that same season, as Peterson was dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules.

Peterson signed with the New Mexico Thunderbirds of the NBDL to finish the season and has been the target of multiple teams looking to sign the free-agent forward. Peterson worked out for the Knicks prior to the draft and attended a free agent minicamp with the Miami Heat following the draft. 

Jereme Richmond, Illinois (6'7", 205 lbs.)

Illini fans questioned Richmond’s decision to leave after one season in the Big Ten, as they wanted to see Richmond realize his tremendous upside. Richmond’s uncle might not exactly get along with Cavaliers’ first pick Kyrie Irving, as he has stated that his nephew is "way better" than the point guard out of Duke. 

ESPN originally predicted Richmond being selected by the Cavaliers in the late-second round. It also helps Richmond’s chances of joining the Cavs by the association with his agent, Aaron Goodwin. Canton might be the ideal location for this 19-year-old small forward to mature and develop his weak jump shot.

Scotty Hopson, Tennessee (6'7", 205 lbs.)

Scotty Hopson steadily improved during his stay at Tennessee, averaging 9.2, 12.2 and 17.0 points per game from his freshman to junior year.

Although his game has improved, his drive to compete might be lacking, as he mentioned to a Vols Website, “'The games that I had the most success in had nothing to do with the opponent—and that’s no disrespect to any of the great teams we played,’ Hopson said. 'There were times I let myself get in my own way.'"

The Cavs will likely have competition from the Spurs to sign Hopson, after San Antonio showed interest in the athletic two guard prior to the draft.

David Lighty, Ohio State (6'7", 216 lbs.)

David Lighty has been coveted by many fans following the draft after his name was repeatedly mentioned as a player who should have been drafted in the second Round. The competition to sign Lighty will be strong, as he has already attended the Atlanta Hawks’ free agent minicamp prior to the lockout.

The Cavaliers’ could combat opponents by playing up the hometown advantage 

Lighty grew up in Cleveland, attending Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School where he was named the Plain Dealer Player of the Year in 2005. Lighty is still in town, as he recently mentioned on Twitter, "71north.... Back to the great city of CLEVELAND” in order “to workout and see my fam... But I will end up playing most likely.”

Will that statement change to, “end up playing with the Cavaliers?” We shall see.

Chris Wright, Dayton (6'8", 225 lbs.)

Another Ohioan who could show up in the wine and gold is Dayton’s Chris Wright.

The former Trotwood-Madison High School star could make the same short trek up 71 to lend the Cavaliers some talent off the bench. Wright’s athleticism matches that of Christian Eyenga and probably matches his experience as well after playing four years of college basketball.