And then he'd walk. He makes almost 5 million now, which if we're being honest with ourselves, is a tad pricey for what little he brings to this current team. He's not gonna take a paycut to stay here if he gets a better offer elsewhere on a team that can contend.
He won't take some paycut, but the contenders can offer him the MLE, and we can offer him more. If he's serious about staying in Cleveland then the money won't be the problem.
The other problem is demand for 3 point shooters off the bench. You think a team like the Lakers couldnt use him? What if one of the Texas teams near his home town come calling? Grant has a player on an expiring contract who would be valuable to a contender for his one outstanding skill, especially in the playoffs. The perfect rented gun off the bench.
The Lakers could absolutely use him. Unfortunately for the Lakers they have no legitimate assets to trade... Jordan Hill, and Jamison top their asset list lol. If there is protection on their pick (which I still haven't heard definitively either way) then they could lessen the protection on it, but other than that I don't see too much value.
Besides, when it comes to re-signing guys like Gibson and Varejao, I still dont know where this random, infallible confidence comes from, but neither of these guys are close to a guarantee to re-up here. In fact, barring one hell of a turnaround, I think the needle is pointing the other way. And before anyone starts hurling quotes from Gibson about wanting to stay here, let me remind you they all say that (to drum up fan support for their next contract negotiation) until they actually become a FA, at which point their agent gets in their ear with offers from other teams, their Whitney Houston wanna-be wife starts Googling condos in LA...