NBA Rumors: Cavs Interested In 2 Recently Cut Wingmen

The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the remaining teams to fill up their rosters. They still have two slots open after they waived Jarrell Martin and Marques Bolden. However, they do have a couple of wing players in mind. These are reportedly Alfonzo McKenzie and Ivan Rabb.

Cleveland is a team that is not expected to figure prominently for the coming season. Under first-year head coach John Beilein, the focus is to rebuild using young players. As mentioned in a previous report, that may exclude Kevin Love. The plan is to keep the All-Star forward while players like Collin Sexton and rookie Darius Garland evolve.

According to Cleveland.com, the Cavs are closely monitoring the players who will be cut as the 2019-20 NBA season-opening nears. So far, there have been a number of players waived. That includes Alfonzo McKinnie, Miles Plumlee, Ivan Rabb, and Cameron Payne. Of the said names, McKinnie and Rabb are allegedly targeted by the Cavaliers.

Rabb is only 22-years-old and showed potential towards the later part of the last NBA season with the Memphis Grizzlies. However, he became dispensable when Brandon Clarke broke out of his shell. Both he and Plumlee were recently cut by Memphis, sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic.

On the other hand, the Golden State Warriors released McKinnie to make room for Marquese Chriss. The 27-year-old showed he is a good defender and can also knock down shots from downtown. He could be a great fit for Beilein and his troop of young players. The Cavs need to beef up their wing position with Cedi Osman pegged to start on opening night.

If not the Cavs, both McKinnie and Rabb could still end up with other teams in need of wingmen. However, that also depends on which other players would be cut before the NBA season opens.

The Cavaliers formally open their campaign on Oct. 23 when they visit the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center. Tip-off is set at 7:00 p.m. EDT pitting two teams who are investing heavily in young players.