CLEVELAND — The 2023 NBA free agency cycle officially begins at 6 p.m. ET on Friday, June 30.
With that in mind, here are five free agents the Cleveland Cavaliers could target in the days ahead.
Max Strus, SG, Miami Heat
Entering the offseason, it's clear that 3-point shooting should be on of the Cavs' top priorities. And there are few players better from long distance on the open market this summer than Max Strus.
After going undrafted in 2019, the DePaul product caught on in Miami, where he became one of the Heat's most consistent shooters. A 6-foot-5 swingman, Strus has shot 38 percent from long distance over the course of the past two seasons.
In Cleveland, Strus could find an immediate role as the Cavs' starting small forward, providing some much-needed spacing for Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. The question becomes whether or not Cleveland would be able to afford the 27-year-old swingman, with only the $12.4 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception at its disposal.
Grant Williams, F, Boston Celtics
A first-round selection in the 2019 draft, Grant Williams became a valuable role player for the Celtics, but appears to be the odd man out due to Boston's salary cap crunch. In addition to being a more-than-capable 3-point shooter -- he's shot 37.9 percent from 3-point range during his career including 39.5 percent last season -- the Tennessee product has also been lauded for his toughness as a defender, which would also make him a welcome addition in Cleveland.
As is the case with Strus, the question comes down to money and whether or not teams who can offer the 24-year-old Williams a bigger contract than the Cavs will do so. But if Cleveland manages to sign the 2-time SEC Player of the Year, it would not only fill a void in its own lineup, but weaken a fellow Eastern Conference contender in the process.
Harrison Barnes, F, Sacramento Kings
The Cavs' lack of postseason experience was evident in their five-game loss to the New York Knicks in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Adding Harrison Barnes wouldn't just give Cleveland a capable 3-point shooter and defender at small forward, but also a veteran who has appeared in 71 career playoff games, including two NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors.
At 31 years old, Barnes is older than both Strus and Williams -- but that could also make it more likely that the Cavs would be able to sign him with the mid-level exception. The 6-foot-8 small forward might not be the splashiest signing, but he also might be the most realistic and could fill multiple needs on Cleveland's roster.
Christian Wood, C, Dallas Mavericks
While much of the focus on the Cavs' upcoming offseason has been on the small forward positon, it wouldn't be surprising to see Cleveland also look to improve its frontcourt. In particular, the Cavs could stand to add a big man capable of shooting from the outside to help space the floor for Mobley and center Jarrett Allen.
Christian Wood fits the bill, as a 6-foot-10 forward/center who has shot 37.9 percent from 3-point range over the course of his seven-year NBA career. While it's currently difficult to gauge the center market, it wouldn't be a shock to see Cleveland have the means to acquire the UNLV product via either the mid-level exception or a sign-and-trade.
Dillon Brooks, SF, Memphis Grizzlies
One of this year's most polarizing free agents, all that's currently certain about Dillon Brooks' market is that he won't be returning to the Memphis Grizzlies. While Brooks wouldn't necessarily improve the Cavs' shooting -- he's shot just 32.6 percent from long-range last season and 34.2 percent for his career -- he would offer an upgrade to Cleveland's current small forward situation.
Considering the negative attention surrounding his exit from Memphis, it's difficult to gauge the 6-foot-6 swingman's market -- and it's worth noting that Mitchell is among the players that Brooks has had on-court issues with. But if his market deteriorates, he could prove to be one of this summer's better value signings.