Early Look at Cleveland Cavaliers' Free-Agent Wish List

The Cleveland Cavaliers have officially been eliminated from the 2014 NBA playoffs and must now turn their attention to a critical offseason.

While the Cavs have some major in-house decisions to make, free agency will also be key.

Cleveland has just $45 million in payroll for next season, and can clear an additional $12.7 million by declining the team options on Anderson Varejao and Alonzo Gee, per ShamSports.com. With this kind of cap space, the Cavs can afford to be major players in the free-agent market should they so choose.

Looking at what positions they need, small forward should be priority No. 1. Luol Deng will be an unrestricted free agent, and it appears his departure from the team could be a mutual decision, according to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Center is also an issue, especially if the Cavs choose not to bring back Varejao. Spencer Hawes will also be an unrestricted free agent. Will Cleveland let Hawes walk along with Deng, or make a push to re-sign him?

Here are the top five free agents the Cavaliers should pursue this summer.

All stats via Basketball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.

Trevor Ariza, SF, Washington Wizards

Free-Agent Type: Unrestricted

2013-14 Salary: $7.7 million

Age: 28

Ariza has fit in beautifully beside a young Washington backcourt and could continue this trend in Cleveland.

The Cavs desperately need a small forward, someone with range that doesn't need the ball in their hands to be effective. Ariza fits the bill for all these qualities.

The 10-year vet has put up a very nice season for the Wizards, averaging 14.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He's shooting a career-high 41.1 percent from deep while ranking eighth in the NBA with 2.4 made three-pointers a night.

Ariza has meant a lot to the 40-38 Wizards' success. Washington scores 6.8 more points and gives up 2.9 less points per 100 possessions with Ariza on the court, per 82games.com. Their team effective field-goal percentage increases from 47.1 to 51.7 percent with Ariza in the game.

Cleveland expressed interest in Ariza around the trade deadline and discussed a deal involving Luol Deng that ultimately never materialized, per Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Playing alongside Irving and Waiters, Ariza would help space the floor and create driving lanes with his outside shooting.

Gordon Hayward, SG/SF, Utah Jazz

Free-Agent Type: Restricted

2013-14 Salary: $3.5 million

Age: 24

The Jazz have the right to match any offer that Hayward receives, which may ultimately put him out of Cleveland's price range.

Still, the Cavs should pursue Utah's young star. Able to play shooting guard or small forward, Hayward could fill either wing position for the Cavaliers.

Asked to play a larger role on a rebuilding Jazz team this season, Hayward has put up career numbers. He's currently averaging 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.5 steals in 36.3 minutes.

Hayward brings a very versatile offensive game, able to score on the pull-up, catch-and-shoot or while driving the lane. While he's struggled with his outside shot this season (31.3 percent), Hayward has been a strong three-point shooter for most of his career (37.0 percent).

So, what will it cost to sign him?

Howard Beck of Bleacher Report states that "Hayward is probably worth about $9 million per year, but he is expected to seek a deal that averages at least $10 million to $12 million a year."

Would the Cavs be willing to offer this much, and if they did, will Utah choose to match it?

Spencer Hawes, C, Cleveland Cavaliers

Free-Agent Type: Unrestricted

2013-14 Salary: $6.6 million

Age: 25

The only player on this list who's currently employed by the Cavaliers, Hawes should definitely be re-signed.

Since trading for Hawes at the deadline, the former lottery pick is putting up 14.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 block and 1.8 three-pointers per game.

Hawes has already found chemistry with the young guards on the roster and gives them a great pick-and-pop partner to work with. The 7'1' Hawes is shooting a remarkable 45.7 percent from deep while with Cleveland.

Since the trade, Hawes has made a huge impact on the Cavaliers' offense.

	PTS	FG%	AST	ORtg
W/O Hawes	97.1	42.5	20.3	99.5
W/ Hawes	99.4	45.8	23.0	104.3

Asked by Jodie Valade of the Cleveland Plain Dealer if he would be interested in a return, Hawes responded, "I like it here, I think it's a good fit. And when July comes you kind of see how the other side of the game, how that all fits together."

Hawes will likely command more than the $6.6 million he made this season, but something in the $7.5-$8.5 million range may be fair for both sides.

Greg Monroe, C, Detroit Pistons

Free-Agent Type: Restricted

2013-14 Salary: $4.1 million

Age: 23

Monroe may be easier to sign away from Detroit now that the general manager who drafted him, Joe Dumars, is expected to resign, per ESPN.com.

A bruiser of a big man, Monroe possesses a trait no other Cavaliers player can claim—he's an effective low-post scorer.

How nice would it be for guys like Irving and Waiters to dump the ball down to Monroe and let him go to work? It certainly seems to be working for the Charlotte Bobcats with Al Jefferson this season.

Despite playing is a crowded post with Andre Drummond and Josh Smith with the Pistons this season, Monroe is enjoying a solid year. The fourth-year center is averaging 15.2 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting 49.7 percent from the field.

With Drummond moved to the starting lineup, Monroe has been forced to play power forward 42 percent of the time he's on the court. For his career, Monroe has played mostly at center and is much more effective when placed there.

According to 82games.com, Monroe has a PER of 21.1 while at center compared to 18.2 at power forward. He's also better defensively while at the 5, holding opponents to a PER of 17, rather than 21 to opposing 4s.

Cleveland could play him exclusively at center, given they already have Tristan Thompson and Anthony Bennett at the 4. A signing of Monroe would also mean taking one of their division rival's best players.

LeBron James, SF, Miami Heat

USA TODAY Sports

Free-Agent Type: Early Termination Option

2013-14 Salary: $19.1 million

Age: 29

Should James be on Cleveland's wish list? That may be debatable by fans of the organization, but not by the team's front office.

The Cavs have been a revolving door at small forward since James left in 2010. Who better to come in and fill the void?

While a reunion is extremely unlikely, one can't rule it out just yet. After all, the surrounding talent would be much improved over the last time James was in town. Instead of Sasha Pavlovic, Drew Gooden and Larry Hughes, James would now be playing next to Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson.

James himself has seemed open to a return, telling ESPN's Brian Windhorst in 2012:

"

I think it would be great, it would be fun to play in front of these fans again. I had a lot of fun times here. You can't predict the future. Hopefully you continue to stay healthy. I'm here as a Miami player and I'm happy where I am now but I don't rule that out in any sense. If I decide to come back, hopefully the fans will accept me.

"

If the Miami Heat win their third straight title this season, it would be hard to imagine James wanting to go anywhere else.

However, James has to keep an eye on the future. Dwyane Wade is 32 and has already missed 27 games this season with various injuries. Irving just turned 22, is a two-time All-Star and has been more durable than Wade this year.

If the Heat get bounced early in the playoffs while Wade continues to nurse his injured hamstring, James could very well consider his free-agent options.

Whether you love or hate him, expect Cleveland to pursue James this summer.