1. In preparation of completing the Basketball GM and Scouting course, I have chosen to write my final
paper on part I and II from the syllabus.
Part I
I conducted three total interviews throughout the course. The first was a phone interview with James
Laughlin (Basketball Operations and Seasonal Coach with the Canton Charge), the second was an in-
person interview with Sam Amico (national NBA writer for Fox Sports), and the third was an in-
person interview with Scott Flemming (India National Coach).
All three interviews were very informative and beneficial for me. James gave great insight on what
it’s like starting out with a team and the hardships that most D-League teams have to endure. Sam
supplied me with detailed information on the daily responsibilities of a reporter and scout, and
painted me a vivid picture of how most basketball minds get started in the industry. I met Sam at a
Barnes and Noble and we spoke about basketball, writing, scouting and the industry for two-and-a-
half hours. Sufficed to say, I obtained a great contact in Sam. My focus for this paper is going to be on
Scott, however, as I believe he has the most extensive basketball experience of the three.
I met Coach Flemming at a Buffalo Wild Wings, so that he could watch the Ohio State versus Dayton
game while we spoke. We ended up talking about a variety of topics, including: India, scouting, player
development, coaching techniques, college and professional basketball, how he got started in the
industry, what motivates him and his philosophies on coaching and scouting players and teams. Scott
originally planned on going into the ministry until he received an offer to become an assistant coach
at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. He discovered he had a passion for coaching and decided to
pursue it full-time. He started off making very little money and was fortunate to make some good
connections along the way. He told me, “You need to know someone to get a position, but you need to
be good at it to keep it.” Those words of advice stood out and resonated with me and I have come to
agree with that during my short career.
Scott ended up taking over as head coach of the MVNU basketball team and coached there for 22
years. Then, through connections with Don Nelson and Del Harris, he became an assistant coach for
the Texas Legends (Dallas Maverick’s D-League affiliate). Scott coached the Legends for two years
before accepting a head-coaching job with the Indian national team. He has now coached India’s
national team for a year and a half and is excited about the future of the program. Scott explained to
me the differences between coaching and scouting college, D-League and nationally. Coaching
nationally means playing in a great deal of more tournaments and it isn’t as competitive as the D-
League and some college. He has also taken on youth teams to coach and develop, as well as teaching
some of his coaching staff. He had to deal with a lot more turnover while coaching D-League because
players are constantly coming and going. He was accustomed to sixweeks of preparation in college,
but couldn’t get a great deal of structure with the Legends. He also said he encountered more attitude
problems during his time coaching the Legends.
Scott spoke about already seeing progress in Indian basketball and how he hopes to really make a
difference with the team and in the community. They recently won the gold medal in the Lusofonia
Games and hope to continue to build on that success. He admitted that India basketball still has a
long way to go to become a successful organization, but that they are becoming important in the eyes
of the NBA. I asked him about David Stern’s comment that he expects an Indian player to be drafted
in the first-round in the next five years. Scott said he wouldn’t predict that, but that there are some
very talented young players on the rise.
When asked about scouting players in India, Scott explained how there are players who play on
different club teams year-round and coaches will simply scout those tournaments and make lists
from there. He said he brings in 20 players to training camp and ends up with 12 that make the team.
Finally, Scott told me that he still has a passion for coaching after 30 years in the business and stays

2. in touch with a majority of his former players and colleagues. He’s also passionate about the
difference he can make in players and coaches’ lives and is still very competitive. He loves practices,
training and recruiting players, and forming relationships.
At the end of the conversation, I spoke with Scott about scouting college players and his thoughts on
analytics. He said when he scouts a player; he splits what he looks for into three categories. First, he
looks for athleticism and size. Second, he looks for basketball IQ, work ethic and whether they are a
good teammate. Third, he observes their personality. He answered my talent versus fit question by
saying that he looks for a mixture of the two first because that’s the ideal combination. Then, he has
to decide between the two and what’s best for his current team. He might take a chance on a guy with
personality issues or that isn’t a perfect fit if he already has a strong core (which I equated to the
Indiana Pacers signing Andrew Bynum). He told me that they haven’t used a lot of analytics yet in
India, but did use Synergy constantly with the Legends. I asked this question because I’m a big
believer in certain analytics and was curious what his thoughts were since he’s been in the coaching
realm for so long.
I truly gained some great insight from Coach Flemming during out talk and received his contact
information so that we may stay in touch. He exceedingly answered all of my questions and gave
some great advice for breaking into the industry. All three interviews have increased my basketball
and industry knowledge and motivated me even further to reach my goals.
Part II
The Cleveland Cavaliers, the team that I have chosen to analyze and critique, is currently at the end of
a rebuilding mode and transitioning into “win now” mode. This year’s Cavs team was expected to
make the playoffs with a solid, young core and a few new acquisitions. Unfortunately, they got off to a
slow start and have never really recovered. On top of that, their GM, Chris Grant, was fired halfway
through the season and their coach, Mike Brown, has received a good share of criticism. Let’s take a
look at their current roster.
Point guards:
Kyrie Irving is one of the league’s best young point guards. He just turned 22 years of age and has
already been named Rookie of the Year, MVP of the All-Star game, All-Rookie First Team and won the
Three-Point Shootout. He is still in his rookie contract and will make $7,459,924 next season.
Jarrett Jack was one of Chris Grant’s big acquisitions in the offseason and is set to make $6.3 million
over the next three years (team option on the last year). Jack has struggled most of this season, but
he’s usually a very good backup point guard who can score and lead the second unit. Grant overpaid
for him and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cavs try to unload his contract in a trade next season,
although it may be tough to find a team to take his contract.
Matthew Dellavedova was a summer camp invitee who impressed with his constant hard work and
effort on both ends. He’s a streaky shooter, but can really help the team when his long ball is on. He’s
only signed for this season at $490,180 and could be retained for next season if he doesn’t ask for too
much more.
Shooting guards:
Dion Waiters’ true value has been up in the air since Grant drafted him with the fourth pick in 2012.
He is averaging 15 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds this year and has been especially effective since
he replaced an injured Irving in the starting lineup. He was relegated to a sixth-man role at the
beginning of this season, but has showed his true potential and I expect him to be starting alongside

3. Irving again next season. He’s a strong guard who can get to the hole and is becoming a better spot-
up shooter. He’s an excellent scorer in the post, according to Synergy, and has all of the confidence in
the world. The Cavs should be set on their starting backcourt for quite awhile. He’s also still on his
rookie contract and set to make just over $4 millionnext season.
CJ Miles took the starting role from Waiters this season and has been surprisingly effective for the
Cavs. He’s averaged nearly 10 points a game and shot nearly 40% from three, until he went out with
a sprained ankle. He also leads the team in on/off splits with 2.1 while he’s on the court and 9.5 while
he’s off. He’s a free agent after this season and I’d like for the Cavs to try to re-sign him for around $3-
4 million. He’s been one of their best players this season and if they can sign him again for cheap,
then they need to take advantage of that.
Sergey Karasev was the 19th pick in the 2013 draft for the Cavs and is set to make just over $1.5
millionnext season (with team options for the next two). Sergey has barely played this season and
spent majority of the year playing for their D-League affiliate, the Canton Charge. They’ll have him for
cheap the next four years and should continue to develop him. I scouted Karasev before the last draft
and was high on him for the Cavs. He needs to improve his defense and awareness, but he’s an
excellent shooter and passer. I think he’ll be a solidrotation player over the next few years.
Small forwards:
Luol Deng was acquired in the Chicago trade by giving up Bynum and several picks (mostly seconds).
It was Grant’s last-ditch effort to immediately improve the team and keep his job. Deng is a good two-
way player and a class-act, but I have a hard time believing he is going to stay in Cleveland after this
season and should field better offers from other teams as a free-agent. He makes over $14 million
this season and will likely want closeto that again in his new contract. He’s averaging 16 points, 3
assists and 6 rebounds this season and would help any team, but I think it’s unlikely he remains in
Cleveland for financial reasons.
Alonzo Gee is somehow still with this team. I was shocked when he made it past this year’s trade
deadline and do not expect him to be re-signed next season (team option of $3.2 million). Gee is
athletic and a pretty good defender, but his offensive limitations hurt the Cavs and he is not a good fit
for what they need (shooting).
Carrick Felix was a surprise pick for the Cavs early in the second round of the 2013 draft. They ended
up signing him for $490,180 this season, but he’s barely seen the court and has spent a lot of time in
Canton as well. He’s dealt with injuries, but the Cavs have him signed to a four-year deal (making less
than or around $1 millionevery year, with the last two non-guaranteed). He’s very athletic and a
good defender, and can play shooting guard as well. He also makes a lot of hustle plays and brings
energy off the bench, which Mike Brown loves.
Power forwards:
Tristan Thompson was the fourth pick in the 2011 draft and has started this entire season. I was
looking for him to make a third-year jump this season and noticeably improve, but it hasn’t
happened. He is averaging 12 points and 9 rebounds this season. He switched his shooting hand in
the offseason and was supposed to flash a much-needed mid-range jumper, but it’s been virtually
nonexistent. Without a midrange game or shot-blocking threat, it may be hard for Thompson to keep
his starting role next season. He makes nearly $5.5 millionthis season with a qualifying offer the next
year.
Anthony Bennett was the number one overall pick this year and has received a lot of scrutiny for his
struggles on the court. He was recovering from a shoulder injury when drafted and wasn’t able to

4. participate in Summer League or training camp. It was encouraging, however, to see him gain some
confidence near the end of the season (before getting hurt again) and have a few good games. He
averaged 4 points and 3 rebounds in 12 minutes per game his rookie season. Bennett has great size
and strength, and can shoot outside. He has all the skills to be successful, and I think once he gains
more confidence and experience, he will end up replacing Thompson in the starting lineup. He makes
$5.5 millionnext season with a team option the two seasons after that.
Centers:
Spencer Hawes was acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers at the deadline and was the first
move that interim GM David Griffin made. Hawes is a great fit for the Cavs. He gives them much-
needed floor spacing and works great in the pick-and-roll (pop) with Irving. He’s averaging over 13
points, 8 rebounds and one block per game while shooting over 40% from three. He also has over six
years of experience in the league, but is only 25 years old. That means that he is a veteran big who
can also grow with this young Cavs team. He’s a free agent after this season and will likely be asking
for more than his current $6.5 million. If the Cavs can re-sign him for around $8 million, then they
have to do it.
Anderson Varejao is another player whom I was surprised to still see donning the Wine and Gold
after the trade deadline. It’s not because I don’t like him; I greatly respect him as a player and person,
but more because of his age and injury-history. He’s 31 years old and has played in a total of 81
games the prior three seasons. When healthy, he has tremendous trade potential, but always seems
to be hurt by the deadline. He has a $9.8 millionteam option next season with approximately $4
millionguaranteed. I would expect the Cavs to buy-out his contract and save the extra $6 million.
Tyler Zeller is another Cav that was greatly scrutinized his rookie-season, but he’s vastly improved
this season. He was prematurely thrown into the starting lineup last year after Varejao went down,
but bulked up this offseason and improved his game. He has impressed when given big minutes this
season and I expect the Cavs to invest in him long-term. He makes $1.7 millionnext season, with a
team option after that. He’s a cheap third big for the Cavs who can easily step into additional minutes
if either Hawes or Varejao get hurt.
Hypothetically, if the Cavs re-sign Hawes for $8 millionand Miles for $4 million, this would put the
team total at just over $44 million. Once you add in Dellavedova and Felix’s minimum salaries, it
would put them close to $46 millionwith 11 players signed. Assuming they pick around tenth in the
draft this year and sign that player, that would be an extra $2 million(approximately), making the
total $48 million. The salary cap is likely to be around $60 millionnext season, which would give
them approximately $12 millionto work with before going over the cap and approximately $22
millionbefore exceeding the luxury tax. This means that they would be able to offer a max-contract to
a free agent. Assuming Deng leaves, fillingthe starting small forward position should be the priority.
After signing their rookie and free agent, the Cavs would have 13 players signed and approximately
$68 million invested.
If all of that comes to fruition, the Cavs would only need to fill the roles of small forward and backup
center. Zeller could step in as the backup to Hawes, allowing the Cavs to sign a cheap third big. That
would also allow them to use nearly $20 millionto lure an all-star caliber small forward. Obviously
LeBron James would be the number one target for every team here. With ties to Cleveland and ESPN
constantly bringing it up, it makes sense financially and roster-wise for him. I have my doubts about
this though and will take a look at a few other free agent small forwards that the Cavs could target.
After LeBron (unlikely) and Carmelo Anthony (not happening), the Cavs could target Gordon
Hayward, Lance Stephenson, Trevor Ariza or re-sign Deng. Hayward is a good shooter with good size
who can also pass and rebound. His shooting percentages have been down this season, but I think

5. they would improve if better players surrounded him. The Cavs could use his shooting and he’d be a
good plan B or C. He’s making just under $3.5 millionthis season, but will likely be asking for over
$10 million next season. Stephenson has exceeded expectations the last couple of years and plays a
big part in Indiana’s success. He’s averaging over 14 points, 5 assists and 7 rebounds this season. He’s
not a great three-point shooter, but improves every year. He would give the Cavs much-needed
scoring and toughness, and would likely only cost between $8-12 million. Ariza has similar stats to
Stephenson with better three-point shooting (best year of his career at 42%). Ariza has pleasantly
surprised me this season and seems to be better as a role player. The Cavs could probably sign him
for around $10-12 million/year. If the Cavs aren’t able to sign one of these guys, they could still look
at trying to re-sign Deng for around $12-14 million/year. Signing any of these guys would keep the
Cavs closer to $60 millionrather than $70 million.
As already mentioned, the Cavs added some floor spacing with Spencer Hawes. Irving, Miles, Waiters
and Karasev are also all capable three-point shooters. Still, I would like the Cavs to have at least one
more efficient, long-range shooter. They could explore a trade for Denver’s Randy Foye, who is a
combo guard able to score, set up teammates, and shoot fairly efficiently (38% from three). The
Nuggets could trade Foye and use their exception from Andre Igoudala for Jack. Aaron Brooks is a
free agent after this season and Nate Robinson has a player option for Denver. They could use Jack as
their backup point guard behind Ty Lawson, and the Cavs could use Foye as a backup point
guard/shooting guard. The best part for the Cavs would be that Foye makes less than half of Jack’s
salary and there’s a team option after next season.
Another player that the Cavs should pursue come next season’s trade deadline is Kevin Love. Now,
obviously many teams will be trying to lure Love away from Minnesota, and it’s likely he would favor
a large market, but the Cavs should still make an attempt. If Minnesota gets the sense that Love isn’t
going to re-sign after next season, they make look to see what they can get for him before he bolts in
the offseason (Cavs fans know this feeling). The Cavs could potentially offer Thompson and Jack for
Love, which works financially. This is a lopsided trade for Cleveland, but if Minnesota gets desperate
at the deadline, it’s a possibility. The Timberwolves might prefer Bennett, Waiters and Karasev,
which would also work financially. Love would provide the Cavs with even more spacing, a dominant
rebounding presence and another star to pair with Irving.
The final aspect of the Cavs management that I will focus on is the upcoming draft. The Cavs are
currently 29-45, which is good for the ninth worst record in the league. Assuming the Cavs pick
somewhere in the 8th-12th range, I will outline some of the best options.
Rodney Hood is a 6”8” small forward who could backup whichever starting small forward the Cavs
sign in the offseason. He is a very good catch-and-shoot player and shot 42% from three with Duke
this season. He’s long, good defensively and should be able to guard multiple positions. Once he adds
some bulk, he has the potential to be a very good player.
James Young is 6”7 and could play either shooting guard or small forward in the NBA. He’s long with
a solid frame and has good defensive potential. He plays with a lot of energy and gets his teammates
involved. He shot 34% from three this season for Kentucky and has the potential to improve from
that area. He could be an intriguing wing for the Cavs to consider if Hood is already off the board.
Dario Saric is a 6”10”, 220-pound Croatian combo forward who is about to turn 20 years old. He’s
versatile on the offensive end and can hit the three. He’s a talented passer, ball-handler, rebounder
and has good court vision, as well as promising upside. Depending on whom the Cavs sign in the
offseason, this could be a great draft-and-stash pick for Cleveland, assuming Saric doesn’t come to the
NBA right away.
Jusuf Nurkic is another interesting draft-and-stash option for the Cavs. He’s a 6”11”, 280-pound
center who is only 19 years old. He averages 12 points, 6 rebounds and a steal in 16 minutes per
game in the Adriatic league this season. He has great scoring instincts, promising rebounding ability

6. and great defensive potential. He’s an efficient scorer, and really an efficient player all around due to
his limited minutes. I fully believe Zeller is capable of being the Cavs main backup center next season,
so Nurkic could be a great stash for the Cavs and give them a lot to look forward to in the future,
when they are truly ready to compete.
WillieCauley-Stein is a much more developed center who could help the Cavs right away. He’s 7’,
240-pounds and an intimidating defensive force. He shoots 60% from the field with over 6 rebounds
and 3 blocks per game. He would instantly improve Cleveland’s interior defense and rim-protection,
but has a ways to go on the offensive end. He has a high motor and would bring a great deal of energy
off the bench. One of his main flaws is his abysmal free throw shooting (48%), which would have to
be greatly improved. If the Cavs desire to add a third big who can help contribute right away, this is
their best option at the end of the lottery.
As I previously described, re-signing, signing and drafting the players I discussed would put the Cavs’
roster at 13 players and somewhere between $58-$68 million. The Cavs’ young core would remain
intact, a veteran starting small forward would be added, a shooter or two could be added, and a
promising rookie would join the squad (either this year or in the future). The Cavs would be well on
their way to competing in the Eastern Conference once again.