The clock is ticking and the Cavaliers are well aware, thank you very much. They know as much as anyone that they have to sign someone before Thursday afternoon.
The reason for this is because they only have 13 players on the roster. Per NBA rules, you must be carrying at least 14 players by February 20 (or Thursday). You can carry as many as 15, so the Cavs actually have two open roster spots.
For now, we can expect president of basketball operations Koby Altman to fill just one. Word is, the Cavs would like to add a big man — experienced, G League, whatever. Everything is being explored.
Whoever it is likely won’t see the floor much. So Altman and the Cavs could just sign someone to a 10-day deal (that counts toward the roster), then sign someone else to another 10-day. Eventually, they will have to sign someone to a standard contract.
Last year, that’s what the Cavs did by bringing in forward Marcus Morris. He landed a 10-day contract in March. Eleven days later, he was signed for the rest of the season.
Morris actually contributed. The Cavs got lucky. They don’t have many available minutes at the moment. But it may not hurt to find another big body to help relieve center Jarrett Allen and power forward Evan Mobley.
Another option would be simply to sign one of their current two-way players — Emoni Bates, JT Thor, or Luke Travers. Then again, none has appeared in more than nine games this season. That makes their candidacies seem unlikely.
What will the Cavs do? This isn’t any inside information, just a wild guess — but I think they’ll float a 10-day offer to someone, a veteran center or power forward, and bring them in for an audition, and then try again if they must.
Basically, when you’re 44-10, as the Cavaliers are today, you can afford to be as patient as the league allows. Altman has made all the right moves over the past few years No reason to doubt him now.
Finally, we have a pretty complete list of available veteran free agents right here, updated daily.
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