The Cleveland Cavaliers are entering a pivotal offseason that could define the trajectory of their franchise for the next several years. With a talented core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley, the Cavs have shown flashes of brilliance but have consistently fallen short when the stakes are highest. While many fans and analysts have clamored for the team to chase another star or shake up the roster, the truth is far simpler: the Cavaliers don’t need another high-usage player. What they need is a sniper, a reliable floor spacer who can punish defenses for collapsing on their stars and open up the offense. Seth Curry, one of the NBA’s most efficient and respected shooters, may be exactly what Cleveland is missing.
The modern NBA revolves around spacing, pace, and the ability to convert open looks from beyond the arc. The Cavaliers, despite their talent, have struggled in this department during recent playoff runs. Opponents have dared them to beat them from deep, often packing the paint to limit Mitchell’s drives and Mobley’s inside presence. While Garland has provided shooting in the past, his current rehab and uncertainty around his return to full form create an urgent need for a dependable shooter who can thrive off the ball. Enter Seth Curry, a veteran with a proven track record of delivering exactly what Cleveland lacks.
At 34 years old, Curry may not be in his physical prime, but shooting ability doesn’t fade with age the way athleticism does. Coming off a season in which he shot a staggering 45.6% from beyond the arc, Curry remains among the league leaders in accuracy. What makes him so valuable isn’t just his percentage but the manner in which he gets his shots. Whether it’s spotting up in the corner, curling off screens, or relocating to the weak side, Curry’s off-ball movement is a masterclass in creating open looks. Defenses simply can’t ignore him, and his gravity would immediately relieve pressure on Cleveland’s stars.
What makes this fit particularly intriguing is the addition of Lonzo Ball to the Cavaliers’ roster. Ball, when healthy, is one of the league’s smartest and most unselfish playmakers. His court vision and knack for finding shooters in rhythm are tailor-made for someone like Curry. We saw this dynamic on full display during Curry’s time playing alongside LaMelo Ball, where he shot an absurd 53.8% on passes received from the younger Ball brother. With Lonzo now in Cleveland, the potential synergy between the two could be devastating for opposing defenses. Ball’s ability to push the pace and deliver pinpoint passes would give Curry a steady diet of high-quality looks.
Curry’s impact would go far beyond just hitting open shots. His mere presence would force defenders to stay glued to him, stretching defenses and creating driving lanes for Mitchell and Garland once he’s fully healthy. Too often, Cleveland’s offense has stagnated in crunch time, with defenses collapsing on Mitchell and daring role players to beat them. Adding Curry means that doubling Mitchell comes with a far greater risk. Every defensive rotation would be punished, and every open look would have a high chance of going down. In a league where spacing is king, a shooter of Curry’s caliber is not just a luxury but a necessity for a team with championship aspirations.
The Cavaliers are also facing significant financial challenges this offseason. With Mitchell likely commanding a massive extension and the team already operating near the luxury tax, every roster move must be calculated. Chasing another star would not only cost valuable assets but also risk pushing them over the dreaded second apron, which comes with harsh penalties and limits flexibility. Seth Curry, on the other hand, would be a cost-effective solution. His market value, while not insignificant, is far more manageable than a blockbuster move. Signing him would allow Cleveland to bolster their roster without sacrificing future flexibility or depth.
Curry’s veteran experience is another underrated factor. Having played in high-stakes playoff games and big markets, he knows how to thrive under pressure. His calm demeanor and ability to deliver in clutch moments would be invaluable to a young team still learning how to win when the lights are brightest. Mitchell, for all his talent, has often been forced to shoulder too heavy a scoring load in the postseason. Curry’s presence would not only relieve some of that pressure but also give Cleveland a reliable late-game option who can hit the dagger shot when defenses collapse.
One of the most appealing aspects of adding Curry is how seamlessly he would fit into the existing system. Unlike a high-usage scorer who would require the offense to be reshaped around him, Curry’s game is built on complementing stars rather than overshadowing them. He doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective, and his efficiency means he can do a lot with very few touches. This would allow Garland and Mitchell to continue being the focal points while maximizing the space available for Mobley to develop his inside-out game.
Critics might argue that Curry’s age and defensive limitations could be a concern, particularly in the rugged Eastern Conference where every possession counts. While it’s true that Curry is not a lockdown defender, his high basketball IQ and positional awareness allow him to hold his own. Moreover, the Cavaliers already boast elite defenders in Mobley and Jarrett Allen, who can cover for perimeter weaknesses. In today’s NBA, the value of elite shooting often outweighs defensive deficiencies, especially when the team’s defensive scheme is anchored by elite rim protectors.
It’s also worth noting that Curry’s injury history is relatively clean compared to other veteran guards. While he has had minor setbacks, he has avoided major injuries that could sap his effectiveness. For a team like Cleveland, which has dealt with its share of injury issues, having a reliable and durable role player who can contribute consistently is a major plus. The team doesn’t need Curry to play 35 minutes per night; they need him to come in, knock down shots, and keep defenses honest. That’s a role he has mastered throughout his career.
Beyond the numbers and X’s and O’s, signing Curry would send a strong message to the locker room and fanbase. It would signal that the front office is serious about addressing the team’s weaknesses and taking the next step. Too often, teams get caught up in chasing the big name while ignoring the smaller, smarter moves that can elevate a roster from good to great. Seth Curry may not make headlines like a superstar trade would, but his impact on the floor could be every bit as significant. Sometimes, the difference between a second-round exit and a deep playoff run is a single shooter who forces opponents to adjust their entire game plan.
In the grand scheme, this is the type of move that championship teams make. Look at the success stories of recent champions, and you’ll see a common thread: role players who excel in their roles. The Golden State Warriors had players like Klay Thompson and even role players like Gary Payton II who could hit shots and defend. The Denver Nuggets had sharpshooters like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope spacing the floor for Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Cleveland doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel; they need to emulate the formula of surrounding their stars with complementary talent that maximizes their strengths.
The timing for such a move couldn’t be better. With the Eastern Conference landscape shifting and teams like Boston and Milwaukee looking dominant, the Cavaliers can’t afford to stand pat. Adding a shooter like Curry won’t just improve their offense; it will also give them the confidence to go toe-to-toe with the elite teams. In a seven-game series, every possession matters, and having someone who can reliably knock down a wide-open three can swing the momentum of a game or even a series.
Ultimately, the path forward for Cleveland is not about adding another ball-dominant star but about building a roster with balance, versatility, and shooting. Seth Curry represents all of these qualities in a single package. His shooting would open up the offense, his experience would stabilize the locker room, and his fit alongside Lonzo Ball, Mitchell, and Mobley would be seamless. For a team that has been searching for the right piece to elevate them from playoff pretenders to true contenders, Curry might just be the answer.
The Cavaliers have the talent to compete with the best, but they’ve lacked that one specialist who can tip the scales in their favor. Seth Curry’s shooting, veteran savvy, and ability to thrive in a complementary role make him an ideal target. If Cleveland’s front office is willing to make a smart, calculated move instead of chasing splashy headlines, they could find themselves in a position to make a deep postseason run. Sometimes, the smallest move has the biggest impact, and in this case, signing Seth Curry could be the key to unlocking the Cavaliers’ full potential.
