The Cleveland Cavaliers fell just two wins shy of winning the NBA championship, and while they will be contenders again next season when they get healthy, that won't stop GM David Griffin from trying to improve the roster in free agency. Here are the three guys they plan on pursuing this offseason:
PF LaMarcus Aldridge
LaMarcus Aldridge will be one of the most sought-after free agents this offseason, and the Cleveland Cavaliers plan to be one of the many teams pursuing him,according to FOXSports. Aldridge has already been heavily linked to the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks, two teams in his home state of Texas, but the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks also plan on using their abundance of cap space to sign the 6’11″ big man.
Despite the multitude of suitors, it’s unclear whether Aldridge wants to stay in Portland or not. He has said in the past that he wants to retire as the best Trail Blazer of all-time and the franchise can offer him more money than anyone else, but he was been frustrated with the team’s lack of postseason success.
Robin Lopez, C, Portland Trail Blazers
Tristan Thompson has been a great sixth man for the Cavs this year, but he’ll be a free agent that will command somewhere in the area of $15 million a year. If Cleveland doesn’t want to pay him that much, Lopez is a cheaper option that would give the Cavs another top-notch, seven-foot defensive presence in the post. Cleveland would gladly give some money to someone who’s a proven commodity in the league and a great locker room guy.
K.J. McDaniels, SG, Houston Rockets
McDaniels is one of the most promising young rookies in the league, but will be a free agent this offseason after signing just a one-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, who drafted him in the second round. He’s already a good defender, and his elite athleticism would flourish in Cleveland’s up-tempo system. Iman Shumpert will be a restricted free agent this offseason, and McDaniels would be a cheaper option who has a ton of potential.
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