Cleveland Cavaliers Added To List Of Potential Brandon Roy Landing Spots
By Zak Kolesar
The Cleveland Cavaliers have between $20 million and $21 million in cap space, leaving them with some hefty spending money for the off season. With that said, the Cavaliers made note on Tuesday that they are interested in pursuing recently retired shooting guard Brandon Roy.
On December 10, 2011 Roy announced his retirement from the NBA because of a degenerative knee condition. After taking a season off Roy announced in 2012 that he was going to flirt with the idea of returning to the game of basketball. He finally made a decision to try and make a comeback, and announced earlier this week that he would decide between the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors.
The former Rookie of the Year (2007) and three-time NBA All-Star (2008-10) has now put a sixth team on his radar. It makes sense that this was announced on Tuesday, as the Cavaliers had waived guard Manny Harris on Monday, possibly to clear roster space/cap room for a big signing.
Harris being waived means that Daniel Gibson and No. 4 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft Dion Waiters are the only two true shooting guards left on the team. With Waiters, who didn’t start a single collegiate game in his two seasons at Syracuse, not expected to start for the Cavaliers once the season starts, Gibson will most likely be asked to step up.
Gibson, who has started in 21.1 percent of games throughout his six-year career with the Cavaliers, took a step back last season. The guard suffered a torn tendon in his left foot and ankle, but is expected to be ready come training camp. Ever since shooting 46.6 percent from the field and 47.7 percent from three in the 2009-10 season, Gibson had degreased. Shooting 38.7 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from three, Gibson has struggled to find the shot he developed in the LeBron James’ years.
With all that said, the Cavaliers are trying their best to pursue a formidable and ready-to-start shooting guard in free agency, and Roy is just the newest addition to their list. Sonny Weems and Michael Redd are two shooting guards that the Cavaliers have already targeted so far. A source close to the Cavaliers said Tuesday that they have not talked with Roy yet.
But do the Cavaliers really want to take a chance with the injury-troubled Roy? It’s a known risk that signing Roy could be a hazard to the team. The former Portland Trail Blazer averaged 20.2 points in his first four seasons. A very injury-riddled fifth season, a season where Roy only started in 23 games and played in 47, shed light on Roy’s decision to retire. He averaged a career-worst 12.2 points in 27.9 minutes.
If I were the Cavaliers I would meet with Roy, but I don’t think it’s in the teams best interest to sign the unretired Roy. The Cavaliers are trying to build a young and healthy core, and I believe there are safer options out there for Cleveland at the two guard position. Weems or Gerald Green are two players that I would be happy with the Cavaliers signing concerning their shooting guard problem.