The Cleveland Cavaliers have put together a roster that looks solid on paper, even after the losses of Dean Wade and Max Strus and the disappointment of missing out on LeBron James. Bringing James Harden back to town is a known quantity, and the addition of a potential two-way piece like Peyton Watson gives the offseason a real boost.
But one hole still stands out: backup point guard.
Moving on from the Dennis Schroder experiment made sense, but the Cavaliers still need someone who can steer the offense when the starters sit. There are a few ways they could go, and one familiar face is among the options.
Scoot Henderson is the biggest swing. Not long ago, there was real chatter about whether he should have gone No. 1 overall ahead of Victor Wembanyama, though that conversation has clearly aged poorly. Even so, the former G League standout is still young enough to interest a team willing to bet on upside.
Portland’s backcourt situation could make him available. Tiago Splitter was his biggest supporter, but he is no longer there, and the Trail Blazers now have Damian Lillard back, already roster Jrue Holiday, and also traded for Ja Morant.
That leaves Henderson looking like the odd man out. His $13 million salary could make him a candidate for a deal built around Craig Porter Jr. and a second-round pick.
He is not much of a shooter, but his athleticism and youth make him a tempting target.
If Cleveland wants a steadier hand, Tre Jones fits that bill. He may not generate much buzz, but he has the kind of game coaches trust in a backup point guard. The Chicago Bulls veteran does the little things well: he keeps the offense organized, avoids mistakes, and takes care of the ball.
Chicago’s situation could help the Cavaliers here, too. The Bulls are in full tank mode, and the right offer could pry away just about anyone not named Caleb Wilson, Dailyn Swain, or Matas Buzelis. Jones is an efficient scorer who understands his role, which only adds to his appeal.
Then there is Ty Jerome, the reunion option. He already knows Kenny Atkinson from their time with the Golden State Warriors and from Jerome’s first run in Northeast Ohio, and he put together a career year in Cleveland. Letting him walk still looks questionable, especially with Lonzo Ball and Dennis Schroder failing to provide the same kind of value in his place.
Jerome kept producing for the Memphis Grizzlies this past season as well, and with Memphis looking to cut down its roster, Cleveland should look into a trade. The Cavaliers could use exactly what he brings: playmaking and three-point shooting.
In Other News...
Cam Whitmore Suddenly Feels Like A Bigger Cavs Question Than Expected
Cam Whitmores arrival in Cleveland was supposed to be one of the quieter parts of a sprawling five-team trade, a secondary piece next to Peyton Watson and the larger roster mechanics that came with it. But the former 20th overall pick brings a different kind of intrigue because he is also coming off a season cut short by a blood clot, and the Cavaliers have yet to spell out where he fits in their plans.
For now, the uncertainty is less about Whitmores talent than about the business of the move itself. Cleveland still has to sort through the roster and cap implications tied to the deal, and that has left open the possibility that Whitmore could be moved again or even waived before he ever settles in. In a summer full of transactions, he has quickly become one of the more interesting unresolved questions on the Cavs books. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers Just Paid A Popular Veteran Price In Latest Roster Shakeup
The Cavaliers made another notable roster move this week, sending Max Strus to the Clippers in a sprawling five-team deal that also pulled in the Nuggets, Hornets and Wizards. Clevelands part of the transaction also included moving Dennis Schroder to Charlotte and Tre Mann to Washington, a reminder that this front office is still actively reshaping the back end of the roster while trying to balance present needs with future flexibility.
For Cleveland, the Strus departure carries a little extra weight because he was one of the more popular veterans in the room, and president of basketball operations Koby Altman made sure to acknowledge both his and Schroders contributions. Moves like this are part of the NBAs business, but they still leave a mark when a team says goodbye to players who helped define its recent stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers May Need An Unusual Final Roster Move To Finish This Deal
The Cavaliers are working through an awkward end-of-offseason squeeze, and it has little to do with on-court fit and everything to do with the math. After adding Peyton Watson and James Harden, Cleveland is hardcapped at the first apron, which leaves the front office with a fixed team salary limit of $208 million and very little room to maneuver as it tries to settle the roster.
One possible solution sits in the draft-rights stash of French center Ismael Kamagate, whose salary would likely come in lower than that of a veteran free agent. Kamagate is not expected to make a major impact this season, but his signing could give the Cavaliers some much-needed financial flexibility as they navigate the cap and finish assembling the roster. [Read more 🡒]