With some extra time this weekend I came up with a plan for the Cavs to still improve even if they lose out on the big 4 FA SG's. It plans for a $49 million cap but would work with a $48 million cap too.
All players listed are unrestricted FA's. The salaries are fairly realistic enough to get all these players. The contracts factor in the allowed raises under the new CBA.
Step 1. Resign Z. A 4 year contract worth approx. $42 million that starts at $9 million in year 1 should get it done. This is more money than Z will get from any other playoff team who can only offer MLE level money and is better than playing for a terrible rebuilding Hawks team. If necessary add a fifth year making it worth a little over $54 million
Step 2. Sign Shareef Abdur-Rahim. A 5 year approx. $41 million deal could do it. Right now all he's getting is MLE offers and this contract starts at $7 million in year 1 which is $2 million above the MLE.
Step 3. Sign Bobby Simmons. 5 years at $36.5 million starting at $6.5 million in year 1. That might be more than the usually cheap Clippers wil be willing to pay.
Step 4. Sign Antonio Daniels. 3 years for $17.8 million starting at $5.5 million in year 1. It is overpaying but by offering over the MLE it would increase the odds of getting him.
The Cavs could also sign Sarunas Jasikevicius instead of Daniels. It should take $3 million in the 1st year of a contract to do that which would free up $2.5 million to still spend in free agency.
With a $21 million payroll and a $49 million cap, signing Z, Shareef, Simmons and Daniels to these amounts would still be $1 million under that cap number. That money could be used to slightly increase the 1st year of contracts to Z, Shareef or Simmons.
Simmons and Daniels would greatly improve the perimeter defense and both can shoot with range.
Shareef provides a consistent scoring threat who also possesses good shooting ability out to 20 feet.
It's not perfect and the Cavs wouldn't get that big time FA like Redd, Allen, Johnson or Hughes but I think would provide an improved team that is still pretty young and can grow together.
All players listed are unrestricted FA's. The salaries are fairly realistic enough to get all these players. The contracts factor in the allowed raises under the new CBA.
Step 1. Resign Z. A 4 year contract worth approx. $42 million that starts at $9 million in year 1 should get it done. This is more money than Z will get from any other playoff team who can only offer MLE level money and is better than playing for a terrible rebuilding Hawks team. If necessary add a fifth year making it worth a little over $54 million
Step 2. Sign Shareef Abdur-Rahim. A 5 year approx. $41 million deal could do it. Right now all he's getting is MLE offers and this contract starts at $7 million in year 1 which is $2 million above the MLE.
Step 3. Sign Bobby Simmons. 5 years at $36.5 million starting at $6.5 million in year 1. That might be more than the usually cheap Clippers wil be willing to pay.
Step 4. Sign Antonio Daniels. 3 years for $17.8 million starting at $5.5 million in year 1. It is overpaying but by offering over the MLE it would increase the odds of getting him.
The Cavs could also sign Sarunas Jasikevicius instead of Daniels. It should take $3 million in the 1st year of a contract to do that which would free up $2.5 million to still spend in free agency.
With a $21 million payroll and a $49 million cap, signing Z, Shareef, Simmons and Daniels to these amounts would still be $1 million under that cap number. That money could be used to slightly increase the 1st year of contracts to Z, Shareef or Simmons.
Simmons and Daniels would greatly improve the perimeter defense and both can shoot with range.
Shareef provides a consistent scoring threat who also possesses good shooting ability out to 20 feet.
It's not perfect and the Cavs wouldn't get that big time FA like Redd, Allen, Johnson or Hughes but I think would provide an improved team that is still pretty young and can grow together.
