Cavs Aim For Upgrades, With Perimeter Shooter, Backup Point Man in Mind

The Cavaliers are looking to build on their pleasant surprise of a season, which was only derailed because of injuries, and will place their summer focus on the usual spots.

That would be none other than the draft and free agency.

Per Hoops Wire sources, the Cavs would like to add some perimeter shooting, ideally from the shooting guard/small forward positions, as well as a backup point guard. Current backup Rajon Rondo is a free agent.

It appears the Cavs will turn to the draft for the wing shooter, though they seemingly would prefer to land a veteran free agent for the backup point guard role.

President of basketball operations Koby Altman will also have to figure out what to do about combo guard Collin Sexton, a restricted free agent. By all accounts, Sexton will be back after missing all but 11 games with a torn meniscus in his left knee.

In fact, you can expect the Cavs to return mostly intact after their 44-38 season — their best record without LeBron James on the team since 1997-98. That means plenty more of Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, Rookie of the Year candidate Evan Mobley, and likely Lauri Markkanen, Caris LeVert and several others, too.

Right now, the Cavs are slated to draft in the No. 14 overall position, and given the history of the draft lottery, that is highly likely where they will remain. (The lottery will be held on May 17.)

Most respected mock drafts have the likes of G League shooting guard Dyson Daniels, Kansas shooting guard Ochai Agbaji, Ohio State shooting guard Malaki Branham and Kentucky point guard TyTy Washington falling in the No. 14 overall range.

Obviously, a lot can change between now and the draft, scheduled for June 23, and the Cavs intend to explore all options when it comes to adding talent to their current group. They will most certainly take the best player left on their board, regardless of position. But the process of offseason deep-thinking has already begun.

As for veteran point guards, there are already plenty, and more will become available during the start of free agency in July. Delon Wright (Hawks), Austin Rivers (Nuggets), Gary Payton II (Warriors), Tyus Jones (Grizzlies), Elfrid Payton (Suns) and Raul Neto (Wizards) are among those who will be unrestricted, likely cost-effective, and could be names to watch.

The same goes for old friend Ricky Rubio, traded to the Pacers in the deal for LeVert in February. Rubio, of course, is coming off major knee surgery and may not be ready to play again until January — should he decide to play at all. Word is, he may be contemplating retirement or heading overseas. 

So it seems a reunion, while not impossible, would be fairly difficult.

Along with all that, the Cavs will likely be looking at backup big men, as Ed Davis is an unrestricted free agent and the contract of Moses Brown expired.

Granted, all of this is speculation, as the Cavs have really only started evaluating their next steps and roster additions.

But as Altman indicated at his season-ending press conference, the idea is to improve on an already promising roster. You can be sure the Cavs will consider all options to try to get where they want to go.