The Cavaliers made a coaching change this offseason in an attempt to better position themselves for a championship.
It's the explanation Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman publicly provided May 24 while discussing the firing of coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
Now Altman must bolster the roster new Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson will guide as the franchise tries to transform into a legitimate title contender coming off back-to-back playoff appearances, the most recent one ending with a 4-1 series loss to the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
NBA free agency will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 30. Check back here for Cavs moves. Until then, here is a free agency primer:
When does NBA free agency start?
There are a few key dates to know.
- The 2023-24 season ended on June 17 with the Celtics defeating the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. On June 18, each NBA team could begin negotiating with soon-to-be free agents who finished last season on its roster.
- Beginning at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 30, each NBA team may begin negotiating with all other impending free agents.
- Each NBA team may begin signing free agents to contracts at 12:01 p.m. Saturday, July 6.
Will the Cavs re-sign Donovan Mitchell?
Altman has expressed optimism the Cavs will be able to sign five-time All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell to a contract extension this offseason. The deal could be up to four years and worth $209 million.
"My exit interview with [Mitchell] was really good in that he was talking about the future and how excited he was about the team, the organization," Altman said on May 24. "This is a player that has had two of the best years of his career here, has had a lot of success here, understands the infrastructure. I think has a lot of trust in what we're doing and understands that our goal is to win a championship."
As this offseason has progressed, Mitchell has sent signals via social media suggesting he still feels good about the Cavs. For example, Mitchell showed support for Cavs center Jarrett Allen with an Instagram post amid perceived criticism from Bickerstaff about Allen missing Cleveland's final eight playoff games with a fractured rib. Mitchell also posted a photograph of himself wearing a Cavs T-shirt while working out overseas.
Mitchell is under contract next season and has a $37 million player option for 2025-26. However, in the event Mitchell surprises the Cavs by declining to sign an extension this offseason, they would likely be compelled to trade Mitchell to avoid losing him after the upcoming season without compensation.
Will Cavs keep their "core four" of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen intact?
As long as Mitchell re-signs, he and forward Evan Mobley would form the Cavs' foundation. But would Altman break up Mitchell and point guard Darius Garland or split up Mobley and Allen? Or is Altman determined to see the group with an offensive-minded coach (Atkinson) at the helm.
In Altman's May 24 news conference, he expressed a desire to keep the "core four" intact.
"Way more data speaks to how much more success we've had with this group than it does, I think, the outside perception of fit," Altman said. "We've won too many games [to want to break it up]. We've had playoff success, and we're still young."
There's no telling whether a trade proposal will materialize to change Altman's stance about this. Yet, the way Altman talks, it would probably need to be a "Godfather offer" — one he simply couldn't refuse.
By the way, Allen and Cavs sixth man Caris LeVert played for Atkinson during his head coaching tenure with the Brooklyn Nets (2016-20).
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Cavs needs in NBA free agency
The skill set the Cavs need the most is shooting. A legitimate two-way wing is the roster upgrade capable of elevating them to another level. And depth at small forward and center is on the wish list.
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Cavs 2024 free agents
For the Cavs, Okoro is the top priority to retain among their own free agents. Because he's a restricted free agent, the Cavs would have the right to match the terms of an offer sheet should he sign one from another team.
The fifth overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, Okoro is eligible for an $11.8 million qualifying offer. He is Cleveland's best perimeter defender.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter:@ByNateUlrich.
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