NBA Free Agency 2012: Who Will the Cleveland Cavaliers Target?

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Will the Cavaliers have better memories from the “Summer of Dwight”?  

Much like the NBA Draft, the current year's free agency period pales in comparison to next year's amount of superstar players that can greatly impact the Cavaliers' win column. The 2012 NBA Free Agent list includes Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Derrick Rose, Jason Kidd, Andre Miller, Andrew Bynum, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Elton Brand, Steve Nash, and Tim Duncan.

Landing one of these premier players requires a multi-faceted approach to deliver all of the player's needs. Not only do players want enough money to prevent their great-grandchildren from ever needing a job, but they also want to win a championship immediately.

Will the Cavs be able to persuade one of these free agents to make Cleveland their home?

Salary Cap Space

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Leading into the 2010 free agency period, teams cleared space to make an offer to not only one, but two of the leagues top stars in order to build a championship contender. This strategy could become even more important if a hard cap is attained. 

Going into the 2012-13 season, here are the current figures that teams have on the books:

Significantly Under the Salary Cap (Team Salary) 

Nuggets $16.6, Kings $23.3, Pacers $23.9, Clippers $24.4, Grizzlies $26.9, Rockets $28.1, Suns $28.6, Celtics $29.4, Bobcats $29.8, Timberwolves $30.3, Cavs $31.3 

Under the Salary Cap ($35 million) 

Nets $36.5, 76ers $39.3, Raptors $39.5, Knicks $41.1, Wizards $41.2, Jazz $41.6, Pistons $41.6, Bucks $43.9, Hornets $44.1, Warriors $44.3, Spurs $44.3, Thunder $44.5, Mavericks $44.6, Trail Blazers $50.6, Bulls $50.9 

Over the Salary Cap (Team Salary > $55 million) 

Hawks $60.9, Heat $65.7, Lakers $67.6, Magic $75.7

 

(Team Salaries provided by HoopsHype.com)

Odds of Winning a Championship

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The ultimate goal in the NBA is to win a championship and, as Cleveland painfully knows, players are willing to make a deal with the devil to make this goal a reality. 

How can a 19-win team compete with perennial playoff contenders? 

Drafting Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson give the Cavs possible cornerstones at the point guard and power forward positions. Throw in the possibility of another high selection in the 2012 Draft, and the Cavs could have their own superstar trio going into the 2012-13 season.  

With possible changes made to prohibit superstars from congregating on a single team, the Cavaliers could have a jumpstart on the next best way to aggregate stars in the NBA.

Playing Time and Potential Weaknesses

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A losing team inherently has a number of holes to fill on the journey towards winning, but the Cavs must also balance minutes with young players who have the potential to become superstars. 

The point guard position should be crossed off the free agent shopping list due to Kyrie Irving, along with the fact that Baron Davis and Ramon Sessions could still be with the team for the 2012-13 season due to exercised player options. 

If Tristan Thompson fails to show promise this year, multiple excellent power forwards will be available in the 2012 Draft. Anderson Varejao isn’t leaving the team without being traded until a team option year in 2014-15. 

The Cavs will most likely look for a shooting guard, small forward or a center to complement Varejao.

Setting Realistic Expectations

A Free Agent Favorite for Every Team
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The probability of landing a superstar such as Dwight Howard might be improved due to the Magic’s salary cap issues, but the ability to stay with one’s hometown team will likely be strengthened post-lockout. 

Chris Paul and Deron Williams will be free agents, but the Cavs already have Kyrie Irving to play point guard at a much lower price and with just as much potential. 

Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Kidd are name brand players now, but signing a veteran at the end of their career won’t necessarily give the Cavs a team for the future. 

So who will the Cavs target in free agency?

Possible Targets for 2012

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The last superstar sweepstakes left fans disappointed with not only the player in question, but the entire process set by the league. If Cleveland’s basketball strategy resembles that of the Indians, then the Cavaliers could be looking to add undervalued free agents to complement a rising crop of young superstars. 

If the Cavs don’t land Dwight or Deron, here are some players that could wind up in the wine and gold: 

Roy Hibbert (IND, C, 15.96 PER) - A good option if Varejao is no longer with the team, the 7’2” center averaged 12.7 points and 7.5 rebounds last season. 

O.J. Mayo (MEM, SG, 12.67 PER) - Mayo showed his scoring prowess by averaging 14.2 PPG in the Grizzlies-Thunder playoff series. 

Carlos Delfino (MIL, SF, 13.11 PER) - Delfino is entering the prime of his career, possibly helping the Cavs off the bench at the weak small forward position. 

Leandro Barbosa (TOR, SG, 15.36 PER) - the Brazilian will automatically have a connection with Varejao, and his 13.3 PPG would be an improvement at shooting guard. 

JaVale McGee (WAS, C, 17.42 PER) - JaVale will only be 24 at the time of free agency, his 10.1 points and 8 rebounds per game could help anchor the Cavs at center for the future.