Cleveland Cavaliers: 10 Moves to Make This Summer to Turn Team Around
"From our standpoint, we're in a really good position."
No, that quote didn't come from the front offices of the Boston Celtics, LA Lakers or Miami Heat, but rather from Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant.
The scary part is, he's right.
With four picks in this June's draft, a $14.5 million trade exception and a good young core of players, the Cavaliers future certainly is bright, if management can make the most of this offseason.
The Cavs future begins now, and here are 10 ways they can begin to turn things around this summer.
Cross Your Fingers for the Draft Lottery
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Not much the Cavs can do here, but the lottery is crucial to the rebuilding of the team.
The NBA draft lottery is May 17th. Currently the Cavs are projected to have the second and eighth overall picks.
Best case scenario? Cleveland could possibly end up with the first and second overall picks, although it's extremely unlikely. Worst case, they come away with the fifth and 11th overall selections.
Cleveland need to come away with one of the top two picks, or this draft could be a major disappointment.
Draft a Game Changer
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This isn't the article to argue who management should take, but the Cavs need a superstar and game changer in the worst way possible.
Be it Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams, Enes Kanter, Kemba Walker or someone else, whoever finds their name being called by the wine and gold needs to realize the expectations bestowed upon them.
Cavs fans shouldn't fall in love with anyone yet, at least not until the draft lottery takes place and the pick number selections are finalized. By then, we should have a much better idea who will even be available.
I'm trying not to fall into a man-crush with Irving in case he's not available, but it's hard not to.
Strike Gold in the Second Round
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Landry Fields was the Knicks second round choice in the 2010 draft. Immediately he became an instant spark and was one of the best rebounding guards in the entire league this past season.
He also allowed the Knicks to part with an additional piece in the trade for Carmelo Anthony. Had New York picked differently, they might not have been able to offer Denver so much, and the Nuggets could have shipped Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey instead.
The lesson? Do your homework. The Cavs have done a great job of that in recent years, taking players such as Daniel Gibson and Carlos Boozer in the final round.
With the 32nd and 54th overall picks, the Cavs have two chances to strike gold and add another piece to the rebuilding puzzle.
Use the Trade Exception Wisely
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Last week, I took a look at some possible players the Cavs could try to bring in with their $14.5 million trade exception.
Grant's comment on the exception: "I'd like to use it... There are worse things (than not using it). We don't want to take on a bad contract. We don't want to put ourselves in a spot where we lose flexibility, but certainly we are hopeful and we are going to try to use it."
This is exactly the answer you should want to hear if you're a Cavs fan. Sure it would make sense to use every available asset, but using it just for the sake of using it wouldn't be a wise move.
Ideally, the Cavs would bring someone in who's still young and could possibly grow with the team, but finding such a player who's team would be willing to part with remains a daunting challenge.
Avoid the Bad Contract
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Cleveland has the money to make a free-agent splash, but that doesn't mean they necessarily should.
It's always important to please the season ticket holders, but that's what the draft is for this year. With a less than sparkling free-agent class, the Cavs would be wise to avoid breaking the bank on an average-level player, just for the sake of making a move.
In other words, yes, giving Greg Oden a five-year, $50 million deal would probably be a bad idea.
Start Shopping the Vets
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Antawn Jamison and Baron Davis are both fine players with a couple of good years left in the league. Neither, however, has a future with the Cavaliers.
When I say to start shopping, this would include gauging other teams' interests, evaluating possible compensation and establishing market value.
I fully expect both to be in Cleveland at the start of next season, however Jamison is in the last year of his contract and Davis has an early termination clause in his after next season. Both would see their highest value at around next year's trade deadline, so the Cavs shouldn't feel the need to move them—yet.
Release Joey Graham
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Seriously, now.
Keep Byron Scott Away from LA
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I don't know of the details in Scott's contract, but the Cavs need to do everything they can to keep him in Cleveland.
I say this because the Lakers are going to see coach Phil Jackson enter the world of retirement, and will be looking for a new leader.
Kobe Bryant and Scott are close, and Scott played 11 seasons for the Lakers and won three rings alongside Magic Johnson. He also played his high school basketball in California and told a certain free agent last summer that, "There's nothing like winning at home."
I don't know if Scott's contract allows him to interview for other jobs, because the one in LA might generate just a little interest from him.
Scott's work with the young Cavs and new draft picks coming in is just too valuable to let go.
Get Bigger
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Cleveland lost their two best centers, were forced to play a forward out of position and struggled mightily against bigger opponents.
This was before Anderson Varejao went down for the year.
The Cavs need more size, period. I mean, Ryan Hollins was the starting center to finish the year, people.
Finishing 22nd in the league in rebounding, a healthy Varejao should help the cause, but another big is needed, be it through the draft or free agency.
Enes Kanter remains an interesting draft prospect. Marc Gasol (restricted) and Samuel Dalembert are free agents. And of course, there's always Yao Ming...
Bring Z Home
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Z has stated that this will be his last season in the NBA. Ilguaskas has been in and out of the starting lineup for the Heat this season, and it appears age and injuries have been taking their toll on the big guy.
There has been talk about Z joining Cleveland's front office in some capacity upon retirement. The Cavs definitely need to make this happen.
The franchise leader in games played, rebounds and blocked shots needs to sign a one-day contract with the Cavs and immediately have his jersey retired.
No, this doesn't necessarily help turn the franchise around, but Z needs to receive the recognition he so rightly deserves.
