WFNY on location: The Dodger Stadium experience
July 1, 2014United States bows out of World Cup with 2-1 loss to Belgium
July 1, 2014The free agent period started with a bang for the Cavaliers, at least when it comes to locking up one of their own.
The next target of new general manager David Griffin? According to ESPN’s Mark Stein, it could be Utah swing man Gordon Hayward.
Jazz vowing to match any offer to RFA Gordon Hayward but fresh rumbles tonight that Cavs weighing wisdom of big offer sheet to Hayward
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2014
Hayward is a restricted free agent whose scoring average has gone up in each of his four seasons. Last season Hayward averaged 16.2 points per game and 4.3 rebounds. His three point shooting took a nose-dive however, to 30%. He is a good defender and getting better each season in the league. The Jazz were thought to be willing to match whatever offer is given to him.
Other rumblings involving the Cavaliers-
Trevor Ariza has significant interest — including Cavs — and his Wizards coach, Randy Wittman, will be in L.A. by morning to meet him.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2014
Hearing: Cleveland is another weighing whether to join the bidding for Pistons RFA Greg Monroe. Atlanta, Portland and Orlando all interested
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2014
Suns pushing to re-sign Channing Frye, sources tell Yahoo. After opting-out of deal, Frye's surveying market, including Cavs, Warriors.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2014
[Related: The crazy NBA off-season and what it could mean for the NBA]
8 Comments
Love Hayward and love Monroe – interesting.
Let’s be reasonable here, Cavs. Hayward, over the last 3 years, has PERs of 15.5, 16.8, and 16.2. His WS% is also pretty flat.
What you have is a slightly above average SF with OK defense who may not be getting much better. Don’t be stupid and offer him $12 mil (or more) per year for multiple years. The last thing we need is a Swisher-esque contract just to reach the 8th seed.
To balance…he’s a 23yo SF with pretty good defense for the decision and a WS/48 that was at Kyrie levels until last year when his shooting went down. that’s really the question of if that was a blip or a sign of who he really is. if he can continue to improve on defense as he gets stronger/smarter and his shot comes back, then he’s a $10mil/year guy in the NBA. it’ll take slightly more to get the Jazz to balk (and they still may match).
Given the dynamics of our team now with Wiggins, I think we are better off using that money on a big man, but won’t be pounding my fist if we use it here.
http://heylarryhughespleasestoptakingsomanybadshots.com/
I see your point, but I do want to point out that Kyrie Irving’s win shares have been very low: to the point that a number of guys in the media have called him the most overrated PG in the league. I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle of Kyrie’s WS and his hype. That being said, for every big money free agent contract that works out (not even limited to basketball, but also including football and baseball), there are about 5 that turned into bad contracts midway through.
With a lot of FA money available for a bunch of teams, Hayward is the type of guy who could get massively overpaid.
Agreed. Hayward’s most similar player in the NBA is Batum. A good player, but not a difference maker. And, in FA, teams like the Cavs overpay for those types of guys.
That was the first blog I regularly checked. Also directed me to WFNY, for that I will always be grateful.
just got an alert from ESPN that the Cavs are believed to be offering Hayward the max
i’m not sure i like the sound of that