Maddie Meyer, Getty Images
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As the NBA’s February trade deadline came and went, the Cleveland Cavaliers received calls about moving disgruntled shooting guard JR Smith, who had been away from the team since November. But members of Cleveland’s front office believed it made more sense to wait until the summer, thinking better offers would come -- the pressure of July 1 playing a significant role.
Well, here they are. And the phone is already ringing.
“We have a trade chip in JR Smith, and his contract, where we can take on some money that other teams are trying to get some cap relief from,” general manager Koby Altman said Friday. “We are actually the only team in the NBA that can provide guaranteed cap relief until July 1. We can guarantee that right now and we actually had a phone call (Thursday) on that trade chip, so, we’re going to keep on being aggressive adding those assets because we do eventually want to consolidate and be really good at some point.”
Thanks to chairman Dan Gilbert’s insatiable desire to win, the Cavs are still willing to take on bad money.
That’s what they did a few months back with shooting guard Brandon Knight. At the time, he had two years and about $30 million on his deal. The Rockets, eager to shed that salary, attached their 2019 first-round pick as incentive for Cleveland to take Knight’s burdensome deal.
The same happened with Matthew Dellavedova and John Henson from Milwaukee. Dellavedova had two years and $19.2 million remaining. Henson, who was injured at the time and unable to help the Bucks in their impending postseason run, had two years, $21 million left. The Bucks needed to lessen their cap number, in large part, to ink point guard Eric Bledsoe to an extension, which was agreed to in March. As a result of taking those two bad contracts, the Cavs received Milwaukee’s future first-rounder, which is heavily protected and may not convey until 2024, along with a pair of second-round picks.
Any potential Smith deal in the coming months will have a similar framework.
No team truly covets Smith, the player. He's coming off two of the worst seasons of his career. He hasn’t played organized hoops since November. His value is the piece of paper containing his name.
Smith’s unique contract is the last chance for a team to either guarantee salary heading into free agency, which is really important given the how quick deals are struck, or get out of the luxury tax.
Smith’s contract was signed in 2016, under the old Collective Bargaining Agreement. That was before the CBA changed the rules regarding how partially guaranteed contracts are handled in trades, especially when it comes to salary-matching purposes. Even though the CBA has changed, Smith’s contract was grandfathered in, which allows the Cavs to take back a high-priced salary (more than $15 million) while the other team is only on the hook for $3.8 million. Other deals signed after 2016 would only work for the guaranteed amount on the contract when it comes to matching salaries -- not nearly as appealing in trades. Smith’s contract is the only one of its kind.
If Smith gets waived by June 30, a team could either leave the $3.8 million on its cap for the 2019-20 season or stretch it, spreading the guaranteed money across three years at a rate of $1.29 million. Financial flexibility can’t be easily attained prior to July 1. The Cavs provide that path.
In most cases, the Cavs are seeking a first-round pick. One near the lottery would be preferable. If the attached selection is a late first, similar to the one they received from Houston, they would ask for a young player on a rookie deal or a second draft pick in the future.
So which teams make the most sense? The Cavs have spent months compiling a lengthy list. It was salary-cap guru Brock Aller's project.
Here are the teams most likely to fit.
Nets All-Star guard D'Angelo Russell. (Mary Altaffer, Associated Press)
Brooklyn Nets
My, how the roles have reversed. The Nets once benefited from this strategy. They took Timofey Mozgov’s bulky salary from the star-hunting Lakers, getting D’Angelo Russell and a second-round pick as incentive.
Now the Nets have their own decision to make on Russell. Will they keep the first-time All-Star who has led the Nets back to the playoffs, and offer him a big deal this summer? Or will they go a different direction? While pondering that, Russell has a lucrative cap hold, limiting Brooklyn’s flexibility.
One way to clear room: Trading Allen Crabbe.
Likely to pick up his $18.5 million option, getting rid of Crabbe would allow the Nets to keep Russell and be active this summer in the way many expect.
Crabbe is not enough of a haul for Cleveland's most valuable trade chip. The Cavs would want more. A draft pick or two? A young player? It's tough to see rising Brooklyn parting with a core piece in a salary dump. Caris LeVert is too important. Jarrett Allen is one of the few bigs on the roster. If not a future draft choice, what about Rodions Kurucs? Perhaps Dzanan Musa, a late first-rounder in 2018?
The Hawks need to find cap room to add talent around Trae Young. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)
Atlanta Hawks
Rookie point guard Trae Young believes the Hawks can be a prime free agency destination. It’s tough to see Atlanta competing for the top guys, especially with both Los Angeles teams, New York, Dallas and other big markets in the bidding. Still, the Hawks’ future looks bright, they could get some cursory looks and having cap space to maneuver provides options. Atlanta also has a decision to make on free agent Dewayne Dedmon.
If the Hawks want to clear more space, adding a reliable veteran to this promising young core, moving Miles Plumlee and the $12.4 million he is owed next season, will be helpful.
Are the Hornets motivated to keep Kemba Walker (15)? (Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com)
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets missed the playoffs for the third straight season, leading to an uneasy feeling when it comes to Kemba Walker’s future.
The Hornets have 11 players under contract. Bismack Biyombo just opted into his $17 million deal. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has a $13 million player option. The Hornets’ cap is already hovering around $100 million -- without a massive Walker deal.
Even if Jeremy Lamb leaves in free agency, the Hornets will still be staring at the luxury tax by re-signing Walker. It would be the first time Charlotte goes into the tax. That’s not ideal for a small-market team very conscious of league finances. Plus, if Walker stays, he will want some assurances that Charlotte is serious about competing. Not in 2020-21 or the following year either. He will want to compete immediately.
How can the Hornets add to their group with limited resources? That’s where the Cavs come in.
In a potential deal, Cleveland would be willing to take back either Nicolas Batum (two years and $52 million), Biyombo or Marvin Williams (one year and $15 million) for a future draft pick or two. If the Hornets don’t want to part with that much draft capital in a salary dump then a young player on a rookie deal, depending on who it is, would suffice. Miles Bridges is probably unlikely. Maybe Malik Monk?
Either way, this would give the Hornets some salary relief heading into July 1, when they will have plenty of competition for Walker.
Mavericks forwards Tim Hardaway Jr. (left) and Kristaps Porzingis. (Glenn James, Getty Images)
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks made a big splash around the deadline, adding Kristaps Porzingis in a trade with the New York Knicks. With Luka Doncic and Porzingis, the Mavericks have a pair of intriguing building blocks. Now it’s time to take that next step.
On the surface the Mavericks’ cap situation looks to be in pretty good shape. But two contracts -- Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee -- the Mavericks took back in the Porzingis deal may restrict their potential activity. Plus, Porzingis will have a lucrative cap hold.
The Mavericks are expected to take a run at Walker. They will need close to $40 million in space for that. Not to mention other moves they would want to make in their quest to rise up the Western Conference standings.
Heat wing James Johnson. (Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
Miami Heat
Let’s say hypothetically the Heat want to be involved in 2019 free agency. As of now, the Heat salary cap for the 2019-20 season is around $137 million -- if Goran Dragic exercises his $19.2 million player option.
For starters, the Heat could offer James Johnson, who is set to make $15.1 million next season and has a player option for $15.7 million in 2020-21, along with a future first-round pick as a sweetener. This way, the Cavs get another draft pick, which they continue to seek for their rebuild. Miami gets financial flexibility, which it doesn’t currently have. If not Johnson specifically, Ryan Anderson’s lucrative deal fits the same parameters. And, by rule, the Cavs can send Miami up to $5.2 million in cash to help facilitate a deal.
Given where Miami finished this season, just two games out of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot, getting below the tax threshold would be a coup. It would allow the Heat to pay the full mid-level exception, worth around $9 million, to a prospective free agent. If they are in the tax at the start of free agency, Miami will only be able to offer the taxpayer’s midlevel, which is around $5 million. That's quite a difference in the caliber of player Miami can sign.
Phoenix guard Tyler Johnson. (Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns
Hey, the Suns have gotten meetings with top free agents before. Remember, Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge were both “tempted” by Phoenix in the past. Well, if Phoenix wants to get a meeting or two with a top guy, then new GM James Jones will have to get creative and move some money around.
Chances are Kyrie Irving won't consider Phoenix. Kawhi Leonard is a longshot. Kevin Durant isn't going there. Klay Thompson seems happy in the Bay Area. But what about, say, Jimmy Butler or Walker? Those guys are a notch below the landscape-shifters and may not get the same interest from the "top destinations."
Theoretically, Butler would add some grit and playoff experience to a group that’s only known losing. But Phoenix isn't currently positioned to offer Butler the max.
Based on the $109 million cap, the Suns are about $10 million short. They could get there by sending Tyler Johnson’s $19.2 million elsewhere. Waiting until July 6 seems a risk if the Suns want to be in the high-end stakes. With that one move, a max spot would open. That, along with the possibility of the top pick in the draft, could be an interesting pitch -- the only real chance when it comes to recruiting a big-name free agent to a team that finished tied for the second-worst record.
The Bucks could potentially want to move Tony Snell's rich contract. (Nathaniel S. Butler, Getty Images)
Milwaukee Bucks
A byproduct of winning is a rising cap. The Bucks are starting to realize that.
Top-seeded Milwaukee has already paid Bledsoe. Khris Middleton has a $13 million player option for 2019-20. Milwaukee will want to re-sign free agents Brook Lopez and Nikola Mirotic -- two necessary floor-spacers to aid MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo. Malcolm Brogdon’s contract is up. What can the Bucks do about this difficult situation?
Well, getting rid of Tony Snell, who is set to make around $23 million over the next two years, would be a good start. He's not enough, of course. The Cavs would want a draft pick or young player as well. The Bucks have already tapped into their future assets in previous deals, including one with Phoenix for Bledsoe and then with Cleveland earlier this season.
Would the Bucks include 2018 17th-overall pick Donte DiVincenzo?
Gordon Hayward is a Celtic with an uncertain future. (Steven Senne, Associated Press)
Boston Celtics
Everything hinges on Irving. Perhaps the Celtics have buyer’s remorse with Gordon Hayward, allowing them to chase a different star. Or maybe Irving bolts, opting to join the Knicks or Nets in free agency. In the latter scenario, the Celtics would likely regroup and build around their young guys (Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown). That means trying to move on from a pair of pricey deals -- Al Horford and Hayward.
The Cavs would gladly take the polarizing Hayward, who was an All-Star in Utah before his horrific leg injury. He would be the main prize, the exception to Cleveland demanding a draft pick or ascending player on a rookie deal. Hayward is healthy now and will have a full off-season to try to regain his old form, possibly giving the Cavs another piece to accelerate their timeline. Put Hayward, 29, alongside Kevin Love, Collin Sexton and the duo added in Round One and suddenly Cleveland has the look of a playoff team.
This might be ludicrous. The Celtics have a real chance of winning the East. But with Danny Ainge, anything is possible.
Of course, this hypothetical Boston-Cleveland swap would have to be a bigger move because of Hayward’s $32.7 million salary number. A trade would probably involve the expiring contracts of John Henson or Jordan Clarkson.
Now in New Orleans, would David Griffin have an interest in making a deal with Cleveland? (David Dow, Getty Images)
New Orleans Pelicans
What's not on the table for the Pelicans, especially with new executive David Griffin? He will try to meet with franchise pillar Anthony Davis and agent Rich Paul, gauging where Davis stands on his in-season trade demand. If Davis gives any indication that he’d be willing to stay in New Orleans, then Griffin would have to formulate a win-now plan. He did it in Cleveland with LeBron James, dealing draft picks for Love, Mozgov, Smith, Iman Shumpert and Kyle Korver.
Signing free agents would be another path to improving quickly. But that’s tricky given New Orleans’ current cap situation. Decisions needs to be made on rotation players Elfrid Payton, Julius Randle, Darius Miller and Cheick Diallo.
Solomon Hill’s $13.2 million contract for this upcoming season is limiting and he would be the player, along with a draft pick or two, the Cavs take back to offer some salary space.
Then again, if Davis reiterates his desire to leave New Orleans, the Pelicans will likely go into a full rebuild, taking them off the Cavs’ list of trade partners.
The Thunder's Andre Roberson could be a trade piece in Oklahoma City. (Brian Sevald, Getty Images)
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City currently has the league’s third-highest payroll. It projects to be near the top again next year. What happens if the Thunder get bounced in the first round of the playoffs by Portland? Would they really be willing to go that deep into the tax for an underachieving team?
Russell Westbrook and Paul George aren’t going anywhere. But the ancillary pieces -- Steven Adams, Dennis Schroder and Andre Roberson -- could be shuffled.
Adams is owed about $53 million over the next two seasons. Schroder has two years and $31 million left. Roberson will be entering the final year of his deal, which is worth $10.7 million. Any of those players -- especially Roberson whose future is murky after missing the last 15 months because of a ruptured left patellar tendon and then three additional setbacks -- would help create some relief for the cap-strapped Thunder.
Oklahoma City doesn't have many affordable youngsters. But Hamidou Diallo and Terrance Ferguson both fit the profile of what the Cavs would want.
Other teams to watch
Memphis Grizzlies -- They'd love to free themselves of Chandler Parsons' $25.1 million for 2019-20. But would a rebuilding team give up what it would cost?
Minnesota Timberwolves -- Gorgui Dieng averaged 13.6 minutes this past season in Minnesota. He is owed $33.5 million over the next two years.
Portland Trail Blazers -- Portland has the league' sixth-highest payroll. They may want to make moves this off-season, depending what happens in the playoffs. Evan Turner will command $18.6 million next season. Moe Harkless and Meyers Leonard are both north of $11 million.
Washington Wizards -- Could create salary cap space or get luxury tax relief by parting with Ian Mahinmi and his $16 million price tag.
Detroit Pistons -- They will likely be a one-and-done postseason squad. Currently eighth in payroll, the Pistons have more than $114 committed next season. Moving Jon Leuer and Langston Galloway, two players who combine to make around $17 million, might be appealing.
Get Cavs Insider texts in your phone from Chris Fedor: Cut through the clutter of social media and communicate directly with one of the NBA's best beat reporters -- just like you would with your friends. It's just $3.99 a month, which works out to about 13 cents a day. Learn more and sign up here.
Ad Choices