Five free agents the Cavs could still sign
Quality options are remain on the market.
The 2024 NBA offseason has been a slow leak rather than the flash flood we’ve come to expect. Moves across the league have been toned down compared to the usual free-agency frenzy. For the inactive Cleveland Cavaliers, these available targets are still worth considering.
Saddiq Bey
Height: 6’7”
Position: Small forward
Stats last season: 13.7 pts (.416/.316/.837), 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Saddiq Bey is an unrestricted free agent after the Atlanta Hawks declined his $8.5 million qualifying offer. The Hawks letting Bey walk is an ominous sign when they need competent wings as much as anyone. Bey shot a career-worst 31.6% from deep last season while failing to provide the expected defensive effort. Still, Bey has clear NBA shooting range as a career 35.2% three-point shooter and an elite 84.2% free throw clip.
Buying low on a reclamation project might be the best the Cavs can do in this market. Bey is only 25 years old and has spent his developmental years playing for the Detroit Pistons and a mess of an Atlanta squad. There’s reason to believe his physical tools as an athletic, 6’7” wing may finally complement his shooting touch on a winning team if placed in the right environment.
Cedi Osman
Height: 6’7”
Position: Small forward
Stats last season: 6.8 pts (.479/.389/.673), 2.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Everyone loves a good reunion. Cedi Osman returning to Cleveland could be more than a wholesome homecoming. He can still help them win basketball games.
I don’t have to tell Cavs fans about Osman. He’s an energetic, sometimes chaotic, 6’7” forward who can heat up in a hurry or remain ice-cold for long stretches. Capturing Cedi’s highs has always been the challenge. Yet, there’s a glaring hole at small forward for the Cavs and the occasional Osman outburst would be a more than welcomed addition.
A fan favorite who is beloved by teammates and shoots nearly 40% from three-point range is something no one should complain about adding.
Caleb Martin
Height: 6’5”
Position: Small forward
Stats last season: 10 pts (.431/.349/.778), 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists
It’s unclear how much Caleb Martin is going to command on the open market after rejecting his $7.3 million qualifying offer. Hey may not land in the Cavaliers' price range but they should spare no available expense when considering Martin.
Martin is a versatile small forward who has consistently proven to elevate his game in the NBA Playoffs. He was a key component to Miami’s run to the NBA Finals, scorching a common enemy in the Boston Celtics. He can play with or without the ball, rebound and knock down three-pointers at a respectable clip. This would be a homerun move for Cleveland.
Simone Fontecchio
Height: 6’8”
Position: Small forward
Stats last season: 10.5 pts (.460/.403/.818), 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists
The only restricted free agent on our list, Simone Fontecchio is worth bidding on — even if it requires a sign-and-trade to complete.
The 28-year-old wing averaged 15.4 points on 42.6% three-point shooting in the final stretch of the season in Detroit. He has great size and length, matching the Cavaliers’ biggest positional needs. His ceiling may be limited but Fontecchio has yet to be utilized on a winning NBA team. Perhaps Cleveland can provide him with the opportunity.
Haywood Highsmith
Height: 6’7”
Position: Power forward
Stats last season: 6.1 pts (.465/.396/.639), 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Another Miami Heat swingman, Haywood Highsmith has positional versatility that the Cavs are lacking. Listed at 6’7” but successfully scaling up as high as power forward, his defensive skillset and 39.6% three-point shooting are self-explanatory.
Like Martin, Highsmith might command more than the Cavs can offer. A product of the Heat’s developmental system — there’s always a risk to assuming Highsmith will be as effective on a different team. His statistics don’t jump off the page as his impact is hard to quantify. Nonetheless, Highsmith belongs firmly on this list as one of the most intriguing options on the current market.