NBA Free Agency 2012: Predicting Cavaliers' Free Agent Targets and Contracts

With free agency underway, teams can now negotiate with players of their choosing, hoping to persuade them that their franchise is the best option to sign with.

While the Cleveland Cavaliers certainly won't be the most active team on the market, they shouldn't sit back and wait around either.

With roughly $25 million to use towards free agents if they should so choose, here are some players to target and possible contracts the Cavs could offer.

Guards:

Jerryd Bayless, 23, PG/SG, Toronto Raptors, Restricted

The 11th overall pick in 2008, Bayless was supposed to be a star coming out of Arizona but has only been spending time as both a starter and back-up combo guard for the Portland Trail Blazers and Raptors thus far. 

It appears Bayless won't be the star he was originally pegged to be, but that doesn't mean he's not a quality player.  For one, he could back-up either guard position for Cleveland and is an excellent scorer and decent facilitator (18.0 points and 6.0 assists per 36 minutes).

Toronto already has Jose Calderon as their starter at the point and is now going hard after Canadian-born Steve Nash.  With approximately $26 million wrapped up between these two alone, Toronto wouldn't match much of an offer for Bayless once landing Nash.

Cavs Should Offer: Three years, $15 million.

Courtney Lee, 26, SG, Houston Rockets, Restricted

Lee isn't much more than a shooter, but that's ok.  His percentages are what stick out to you, as he connected on 40.1 percent of his three-pointers last season while attempting 3.7 per game.  Although he doesn't get to the free throw line a lot, Lee is a career 83.2 percent from the charity stripe.

Lee could back-up Dion Waiters and provide a knock-down three-point shooter that the Cavs tried with Anthony Parker the last few years.  Houston has Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb at shooting guard already, so they might be ok with letting Lee walk.

Cavs should offer: Three years, $12 million.

Delonte West, 28, PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks

Just kidding.

Forwards:

Alonzo Gee, 25, SG/SF, Restricted

The Cavs recently extended Gee the qualifying offer of $2.7 million, so they had the right to match any offers he receives.

While the Suns have expressed interest in Gee, as others are likely to do, the Cavaliers have stated that they want to retain Gee but won't break the bank for him.  A four-year deal with a bump in salary would be fair to both sides, as Gee can play either wing position and is possibly the Cavs most athletic player.

Cavs should offer/match: Four years, $16 million.

Gerald Green, 26, SF, Brooklyn Nets, Unrestricted

A once promising career eventually landed Green in the D-League, but a resurgence with the Nets last season should have him back on teams' wish lists.

An explosive athlete and scorer, Green could possibly be the answer for the Cavs small forward woes.  With the Nets last season, he averaged 12.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in 25.2 minutes per game.  What's particularly impressive are his percentages highlighted by a 39.1 conversion rate on three pointers.

We also know he's quite a talented dunker as well.

Cavs should offer: Two years, $8 million.

Centers:

Jason Thompson, 25, PF/C, Sacramento Kings, Restricted

Thompson was once a lottery pick of the kings but could now be on his way out due to the drafting of Thomas Robinson.

An athletic power forward who can also play center, Thompson could be the perfect compliment to Tristan Thompson at the four due to his offensively-favored game.

Last season Thompson set career high's in PER (16.4) FG% (.535) and win shares per 48 minutes (.114), despite seeing a drop in minutes from his first couple of seasons.

Possibly entering the prime of his career, the Cavs should make an offer.

Cavs should offer: Five years, $20 million.

Spencer Hawes, 24, C, Philadelphia 76ers, Unrestricted

Hawes is a very unique center.  Some of his best abilities include hitting the 18-foot jumper and passing, which the Cavaliers could definitely use.

Given starters minutes of 36 per game, Hawes' 2011-2012 stat line would read like this: 13.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.9 blocks per game.

He set career highs in PER (18.1) win shares per 48 minutes (.152) and in true shooting percentage (.517) and is still only 24 years old and able to grow into borderline All-Star center under his next contract.

His playoff experience with the Sixers the past two years would be a welcome addition to the Cavs and would help take pressure off Tyler Zeller to perform right away.

Cavs should offer: Four years, $28 million.

All free agents listed above are 26 years old or younger and would fit into the Cavaliers rebuilding plans.  With all contracts offered, none would compromise the team's financial flexibility moving forward, and all players would fill a need for the Cavs from day one.

I don't expect the Cavs to be major players in free agency, but a few low-risk, high-reward signings would definitely help their rise to Eastern Conference supremacy.