While it is unlikely the Cavs re-sign Luol Deng, whom they acquired in a mid-season trade, Terry Pluto of The Plain Dealer says that his impact has proven that the team needs to add a productive small forward next year. Here’s more from Cleveland:
- Pluto says that if interim GM David Griffin lasts beyond this season, he will make a strong push to re-sign free agent Spencer Hawes.
- Pluto adds that the Cavs would like to re-sign C.J. Miles, who will also become a free agent this summer.
- The Cavs are expected to retain rookie Matthew Dellavedova, whose contract is non-guaranteed next year, per the Plain Dealer scribe.
- Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio looks at the Cavs options heading into the offseason. They could reboot once again, or stay the course with the current foundation players and personnel.
- The Cavs will likely include all of this year’s rookies on their summer league roster, coach Mike Brown tells Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer. “We’ve talked about it, but there’s nothing formal that we’ve put forth yet,” Brown said Friday. “I think it’s good for first- and second-year guys to go and play with that type of experience.”
- 2013’s No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett would be included in that group, and Brown tells Boyer it could go a long way in helping the under-performing rookie’s development. “I think it’s going to be huge for him, not just summer league, but the time he spends in the weight room, the time he spends conditioning, the time he spends on the floor working out,” Brown said. “[Summer league is] a lot of games in a short amount of time. Because of who he is, guys are going to be coming after him. The ball’s going to be in his hands. It’s going to give him an opportunity to go out there and showcase his abilities.”