National Basketball Association

Cleveland Cavaliers: Good, Bad And Ugly From The 2016 NBA Offseason

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Jun 22, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James celebrates during the NBA championship parade in downtown Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

As the 2016-17 NBA season approaches, we look back at the good, bad and ugly from the NBA offseason for the Cleveland Cavaliers

After winning the NBA Finals and ending the city’s prolonged championship drought, there was nothing that the Cleveland Cavaliers needed to “accomplish” this offseason. You know, apart from retaining LeBron James.

Even then, though, after delivering a championship LeBron could’ve really gotten away with anything this summer. Literally.

Thankfully for Cleveland, not only did he deliver them a championship but he also signed a three-year deal with the Cavs.

With that said, it’s not like the Clevealnd Cavaliers were totally silent this summer. They did manage to make a few moves despite being financially strapped. With that in mind, let’s look at their good, bad and ugly from the 2016 offseason.

Apr 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Mike Dunleavy (34) moves the ball down the court during the first quarter of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Offseason Recap

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t entirely sit on their hands all summer long, but they also were limited in their ability to re-sign some of their own players. Here’s a quick recap to what Cleveland did this summer.

The biggest loss for the Cleveland Cavaliers is clearly Delly signing with the Milwaukee Bucks. But there was nothing that Cleveland could do. They didn’t have the money to come close to what the Bucks offered him.

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Adding Dunleavy could be a sneaky good move, but I’m not exactly sure he has much left in the tank. You can always use an additional shooter, though. And if nothing else, that’s what Dunleavy is.

The expectation is that the Cleveland Cavaliers will ultimately re-sign J.R. Smith, but it’s technically not official. Expect it to happen, though.

Mo Williams is also expected to retire, so that leaves Cleveland with quite the void at the backup point guard spot. Unless they’re happy to hand it over to a rookie, look for the Cavs to add a veteran PG before training camp opens.

Now, to the good.

May 6, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives the ball to the basket against Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) during the second half in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Cavaliers defeated the Hawks 121-108. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Good: Re-Signing LeBron

The fact that LeBron James re-signed to the ring of a three-year deal is what’s best about his signing. No more of that one year promises. The King has now given the next two years of his career (at least) to Cleveland.

That’s important.

Even if it just is for one season, there won’t be any of those will he/won’t he rumors, and every single tweet or Instagram post won’t be overanalyzed. LeBron James brought a championship to Cleveland, and he’s ready to defend it. Without distraction.

Who are we kidding, LeBron is never leaving Cleveland again anyways

Right?

Jan 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) defends in the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Bad: J.R. Smith is still a free agent

This could change at any moment, but the fact that J.R. Smith is still unsigned is not a great look for the Cleveland Cavaliers. They can’t afford to let him walk, despite his outrageous contract demands.

Even though Smith doesn’t have the best reputation in the NBA, during his stint in Cleveland he’s actually been a different player. He has kept his nose out of trouble and has transformed into one of the more important players on the team.

While he can shoot you out of any game, he can also shoot your way to a win. He gives the team a fearless presence that can easily be overlooked.

Without Smith’s shooting, the floor isn’t nearly as spaced as it should be. Maybe the Dunleavy acquisition will work as insurance. Maybe not. Either way, Smith needs to be re-signed. Soon.

The Ugly: No backup point guard

It’s tough to find an ugly for a team that just won the NBA Finals and has LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, but I had to be picky.

And looking at this roster, I still can’t fathom this team heading into training camp with Kay Felder, a rookie, being their backup point guard. Considering Irving’s injury history, it would be insane to start the season with a rookie being the primary backup.

No offense to Felder – I’m sure he’ll be a fine player eventually in the NBA – but there’s a reason he was a second-round pick. NBA scouts didn’t believe he was ready; why should I?

Assuming that Williams will retire, which appears to be the belief, a roster spot will likely open up. I fully expect the Cavs to add a veteran such as Norris Cole or Mario Chalmers, but until they do this is a very bad situation.

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