The Cleveland Cavaliers wrapped up a highly-anticipated season with a loss in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. By all accounts it was considered a disappointment after all of the moves the team made to adjust the roster accordingly. Injuries to Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving were simply too much to overcome and now the Cavaliers must look at the best way to bounce back. With several players having the option of exiting in free agency, who is coming back and who is not?
According to ESPN's Chris Broussard, JR Smith will be opting out of his $6.4 million player option in favor of free agency. While Smith upped his value with the Cavaliers, his inconsistency in the playoffs is a big reason why the team fell, especially in Game 6. Broussard writes that Smith is hoping his scoring abilities attract a bigger contract in free agency than what Cleveland might be able to offer him. The team can handle his one-year player option, but a pay raise is likely out of the question.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, James already plans on returning despite having that player option making fans nervous and the same can be said for Kevin Love. While Love's future has been highly debated, the forward made it clear he wants to come back. Now the issue is whether or not that is on a long-term contract or his player option. Tristan Thompson is the other question mark as the power forward is expected to command a max deal. The Cavaliers could give that to Thompson this season so long as Love opts in and does not request a long-term contract.
Iman Shumpert will be a restricted free agent this upcoming offseason and is not expected to be back with the Cavaliers either. Much like Smith, Shumpert was a big reason what the Cavaliers fell short in the Finals. ESPN.com believes that the Cavaliers will not match an offer placed on the guard as inconsistencies and injuries plagued his season.
If both Smith and Shumpert are out, that might give the Cavaliers the flexibility to retain both Timofey Mozgov and Anderson Varejao. There is no question that Mozgov was essential to Cleveland this season and picking up his team option should be considered a no-brainer. The Akron Beacon Journal has tossed around the idea of trading away Varejao after his season-ending Achilles injury. The question will be who is the better center for the team moving forward.
Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com is reporting that the Cavaliers will ask for James' input when it comes to free agency. James is clearly the face of the franchise and the Cavaliers would be wise to make sure he is very happy. James was the reason the Cavaliers traded for Love last season and he is expected to have a big say in who remains with the team and who is released.
