15th Roster Spot?

[Sebastian]

damn, i know we need a backup pg vet but if a team gets mozzie in foul trouble, we get small quick

i think we need a backup big like dalembert ......can he move quicker than haywood now?

Interesting that no one has signed him yet. I still think he can make an impact here.

 

[tristan+kyrie=$]

LeBron James met with Ray Allen
Updated: January 21, 2015, 11:56 PM ET
By Dave McMenamin | ESPN.com

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CLEVELAND -- While the principle reason LeBron James visited Miami during his recent two-week rest period was to seek out warmer weather while he rehabbed strains to his left knee and lower back, he also had another item on his agenda.
During James' Miami jaunt, the four-time MVP met with free agent guard and former Miami Heat teammate Ray Allen in order to try and appeal to the league's all-time leader in 3-pointers again about joining the Cavs this season, multiple sources told ESPN.com.
Allen hasn't played since his 18th season ended with a Finals loss for the Heat to the San Antonio Spurs in June.
ESPN Radio's Ryen Russillo reported last month that Allen's message to teams inquiring for his services earlier in the season was to check back with him in January and he would make his decision to return or not -- and which team to choose if he did opt for season No. 19 -- in February.
Apart from James' face-to-face meeting with Allen, several other members of the Cavs have kept in contact with the shooting guard this season -- James Jones and Mike Miller, who were also Allen's teammates in Miami, as well as associate head coach Tyronn Lue, who was an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics when Allen played there.
Allen also vacationed with Jones and James this summer when they all visited the Bahamas together along with their families.
The 39-year-old hinted this week that a return could be in the cards, telling the Sun-Sentinel, "At my age, I need to stay in shape," when asked about a potential comeback.
The Cavs have 14 players on their roster with one slot open should they choose to sign Allen.
Coming into Wednesday, Cleveland was tied for 17th in 3-point field goal percentage (.347) and 11th in 3-pointers made per game (8.3). They shot 5-for-24 (20.8 percent) from 3 in their 106-92 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
Allen played 73 games for the Heat in the regular season and all 20 postseason games last season. He averaged 9.3 points per game on 41 percent shooting in the playoffs.

 

[Pioneer10]

Need to add Dalembert as an insurance policy. Team looks so much better with a rim protector in there

 

[KCOTT]

I still would like another capable big, even with the positive play from Mozgov.

 

[shoes22]

Really. At this point the last thing this team needs is another shooting guard/3pt specialist. Allen already had his chance if he wanted to sign with us, and LeBron needs to stop playing makeshift GM.

 

[Kypus]

Seriously....with the addition of JR, the Ray Allen thing just needs to go away already.

 

[Sebastian]

Seriously....with the addition of JR, the Ray Allen thing just needs to go away already.

The offense is fine. It will continue to improve with Shump suiting up and Love getting out of his funk. Defensive depth is what will matter come playoff time. And I don't just mean spotting Mozgov some minutes on the bench or if Timo gets in foul trouble.

Back issues are a major concern for a big man and they should plan on the possibility that Love may miss some games down the stretch and even in the playoffs. Their frontline depth gets mighty thin if he goes down. With Love out of the picture and Thompson starting, they would have to rely on the walking corpse, and noted contract, Brendan Haywood, for major minutes. That is most certainly not a recipe for success.

 

[KCOTT]

tired of hearing about Ray Allen, time to move on to a big

 

[The Red Viper]

I would prefer a big as well but just can't say NO to Jesus Shuttlesworth. When the game is close, he is THE player to have on the floor alongside LeBron. Even last season with Miami, he looked good and considering how underwhelming Miller has been, I feel Allen can provide some sick spacing and important points off the bench. Though I feel, Miller would pick it up come playoffs time. He used to do that with Miami as well.

Yes, JR has been great but playoffs are a completely different scenario. The game would slow down considerably and we would need two or three players for the spacing. That is where Allen would help. Kyrie, Love, Delly and TT haven't played a single play-off game yet. The likes of Shumpert and Mozgov haven't played many games either. It doesn't hurt to have experienced winners in the roster who have been there and done it. Instead of going for a point guard, I would rather go for Allen, someone who can provide us more sharpshooting from beyond the arc and the fact that he has a great understanding with LeBron helps in crucial situations.

 

[JFT]

We can do both. Harris can play in the D league.

 

[Cassity14]

We can do both. Harris can play in the D league.

That does nothing about his roster spot. He still occupies it while playing in Canton.

 

[castor777]

The only reason to get Ray right now is if they're convinced he can play backup minutes at point. Our guard rotation would be a bit crazy. As well as JR has been playing at the 2, I don't see how you cut his minutes back much at all, at least no more than they will when Iman comes into the lineup. This would just leave Ray at backup point with Delly, and Blatt can choose who to play there on any given night.

A part of me would be perfectly fine with it as insurance if Kyrie gets injured, because I just can't see putting Delly back in the starting lineup again and our point spot is thin. LeBron will obviously run point in any event of Irving getting hurt, and Ray would be a great threat to have out there with him. But with only one roster spot left, right now I think most of us are more concerned about getting a backup big we can rely on. With Love's back issues, I wouldn't be surprised if he misses a bit of time coming up to get him back near 100%. It's a tough call, since they can only fill one need or the other. Unless, of course, they want to waive James Jones (wishful thinking).

 

[I'mWithDan]

Seriously....with the addition of JR, the Ray Allen thing just needs to go away already.

Ray Allen's corner 3 percentages his last two years in Miami:

Right Corner: 44%
Left Corner: 42%

I highly doubt we're turning away a guy that proficient, especially for late game playoff situations.

I'd prefer to hang on to the roster spot moving forward but adding a proficient shooter at a league min deal isn't exactly a waste. Delly is the only guy in the rotation shooting above 38% and I can't imagine anyone wants him in the corner shooting an important late game shot.

 

[JFT]

That does nothing about his roster spot. He still occupies it while playing in Canton.

Then no choice but to go with a big, if one is available that would help. Having only Haywood as a third big is a huge risk going into the playoffs. Maybe Griffin can pull off another good trade.

 

[Green Lantern]

Ray who?
I haven't heard anything about him until now.
It's probably why Griffin has not brought in another player.
Shumpert has to start playing soon and there's Ray..
Still would like to see them get another center and a backup PG.