Nicolas Batum (Photo : Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a great chance of trading Kevin Love in the offseason to make room for key free agents who could help the team to defend their title.
The Cavs' chance to repeat as NBA champs next season lies on Lebron James' decision of whether to stay in Cleveland or form another super team in South Beach, LA or New York. But the Cavs, despite their impressive effort to come back from a 3-1 deficit series to win their first NBA title, could also look to add other key free agents to help in their cause.
According to ESPN's Ian Begley, Nicolas Batum would be a perfect fit for the Cavs, although it would likely require the team to make "few significant departures" for it to happen.
"Nicolas Batum, one of the top wings, would be a great fit. Batum can play shooting guard and small forward. His versatility (15 PPG, 6 APG) would fit well into any of Cleveland's small-ball lineups," Begley wrote.
Batum, who was traded by the Portland Trail Blazers to the Charlotte Hornets last year, played the best season of his career with the Hornets, averaging 14.9 points, 6.1 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game. His output tells it all how versatile the Frenchman is and how teams would drool chasing after him this summer.
After an impressive season with the Hornets, Batum would likely seek a max contract, or, at least, close to that of a max deal. But if the Cavs could convince Batum for a shot at a championship, the 27-year-old small forward may consider taking less money.
But even with Batum, or any other veterans opt to take a pay-cut to join the Cavs, the newly-minted champions still lack cap space to sign free agents. The Cavs heads into the offseason with very limited financial flexibility, which means they could only spend midlevel exception in a market full of teams ready to overpay players. If the Cavs deem the likes of Batum would certainly benefit their goal of a back-to-back title, the only other way is to move their best tradable asset in Kevin Love.
Love has been linked to trade rumors, especially after his poor display in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. Trading Love, who signed with the Cavs for a five-year $113 million contract last year, would give ample cap space for the Cavs to acquire Batum.
There should be no shortage of suitors for Love, with teams like the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers all looking for a proven star to help in their attempt to become contenders again. But if James decide to opt out of his own deal, the Cavs may have second thoughts on shipping their third scoring option in the team.
