Cavs Among 11 Teams Unable to Claim Player Making More Than Minimum

AKRON, Ohio — While the Cavaliers have had a productive offseason, they aren’t likely to make another move ahead of training camp, barring a trade of course.

As we relayed here, they are expected to bring back center/forward Tristan Thompson, an unrestricted free agent and Cleveland fan favorite.

But that should about do it before camp tips off on Oct. 3.

After all, the Cavs are one of 11 teams with only the minimum salary exception available, per Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors.

In other words, the Cavs do not have a trade exception, disabled player exception, or room under the salary cap to claim a player earning more than the minimum.

Then again, that’s not really a big deal, given that president of basketball of operations Koby Altman has already made several offseason moves. That includes a trade for guard/forward Max Strus, as well as the acquisitions of forward Georges Niang, guard Ty Jerome and center Damian Jones. Cleveland also kicked off the summer transactional phase by re-signing wing Caris LeVert.

But as for claiming someone such as guard Cameron Payne, released by the Spurs, forget it. The Cavs just don’t have the cash.

Along with Cleveland, the other 10 teams that have no TPE, DPE, or cap room available to claim a player earning more than the minimum are as follows, per Adams:

• Detroit Pistons
• Houston Rockets
• Los Angeles Clippers
• Milwaukee Bucks
• New Orleans Pelicans
• Oklahoma City Thunder
• Toronto Raptors
• Sacramento Kings
• San Antonio Spurs
• Utah Jazz