5 free agents the Cleveland Cavaliers should target

By Brad Weiss | Jun 27, 2016

Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) after beating the Golden State Warriors in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 9, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) backs down Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago won 105-102. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Pau Gasol, PF, Chicago Bulls

Pau Gasol has made it clear that he plans to opt out of his current contract with the Chicago Bulls, and the Cleveland Cavaliers will make a run at him if he does. Gasol was not happy with the Bulls not making the playoffs, and he is running out of years to make a run at another title.

The 14-year player was arguably the best player on the Bulls this past season, despite the team going 42-40 and missing out on the playoffs. He has often spoke of the team lacking maturity, and he may be looking to make a fresh start somewhere else. He is the ultimate competitor, and is not used to being home when the playoffs start.

The Bulls were “aggressively” shopping Gasol before the trade deadline, and at times he did not look like a good fit for what Chicago Bulls Head Coach was doing. Chicago recently traded point guard Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks, so the team may be looking to get younger.

Gasol would be an instant upgrade for the Cavaliers, and if they can shed Kevin Love and his $21 million dollar contract, he would slide right into the starting line up at power forward. He averaged a double-double last season in Chicago, and would be a nice fit in Cleveland as he looks to win his third ring.

Next: 1. Dwayne Wade

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