NBA Rumors: Cavaliers Interested in Ersan Ilyasova, Derek Fisher

While we haven't heard a ton about the Cavaliers during this free agency period, there are some rumblings that have surfaced in recent days. Bob Finnan from the News-Heard indicated that there was mutual interest between the Cavaliers and Ersan Ilyasova.

Media reports indicate the Bucks offered Ilyasova a five-year, $40 million deal. The Cavs have plenty of salary-cap space, but it would be a bit shocking if they used it on a sizeable deal like Ilyasova would demand.

As you can see, the offer that the Cavs would have to top is one that pays Ilyasova $8 million per year. That figure may need to be even higher because the Cavaliers don't have his Bird Rights and therefore can only offer him 4 years while the Bucks can offer him 5 years. So for practical purposes, let's say the Cavs have to offer Ilyasova 4 years/$40 million to get him to consider signing. Is that the move the Cavs want to make right now? Is a stretch-four that has one really good year on his resume the investment that benefits the Cavs moving forward? I'm honestly not sure. There's no denying that his stats last year were very impressive, but were they impressive enough to bet $40 million that it wasn't just one good year? It's a tough call.

For what it's worth, the Plain Dealer claims the direct opposite of Finnan's report. According to them, the Cavs are not speaking to Ilyasova or his agent.

An NBA source with knowledge of the situation refutes Internet reports that the Cavs are interested in free agent forward Ersan Ilyasova, who played with the Milwaukee Bucks the past four seasons after the Bucks made him a second-round pick in 2005.

The other free agent that Cleveland has been linked to is Derek Fisher. The veteran point guard is reportedly drawing interest from around the league and the Cavs are one of the teams that might be interested. Chris Grant and Co. have expressed their desire to get a veteran guard to act as a role model and teacher. Without Anthony Parker and Antawn Jamison, this is a very young locker room and some professional guidance could be beneficial. The Plain Dealer claimed the the Cavs, along with Brooklyn, Dallas, Chicago, and Oklahoma City are all looking into signing Fisher.

Personally, I'd rather sign a backup point guard that has some upside and is more than just "veteran leadership." While I do believe that Fisher had a positive impact on the Thunder players last year in OKC, he simply doesn't have much left in the tank. The roster spot could be better spent on a point guard that can be effective in 10-15 minutes off the bench behind Kyrie Irving.