It has been a quiet offseason for the Cleveland Cavaliers to put it lightly, but the noise is starting to get louder in the middle of August. Last week, the team dealt Dennis Schroder to the Charlotte Hornets for Tre Mann, significantly trimming salary in the transaction. Even better, the Cavs chose to send cash as an incentive instead of draft compensation.

A logical move to make, Schroder's contract is off the books, clearing just under $7 million of salary with Mann's smaller deal coming in. The significance of the trade is more about the flexibility that Cleveland created. The organization is now $32 million below the first apron and $44 million below the second apron. There's also a $6.8 million traded player exception to come out of it.

The Cavs are getting closer to being able to afford paying both James Harden and another significant piece, such as Peyton Watson, without being in the second apron. There is still maneuvering required to get there for a Watson play, and Max Strus is a popular name among the rumors to be moved next because of his expiring $16.6 million contract. Mann has been tabbed as a reroute candidate as well. 

In the latest episode of Courtside with Cavs, Spencer German and I discussed Watson's skill set and potential fit with the Wine and Gold, and what makes him intriguing as a player:

A ton of untapped potential. Athletic as heck. Do I buy the shot? I don't know. I've got to see more of it. But if you stick him in the corner and you want to make him into that type of role player, that's fine. He had a lot of self-creation moments last year, too, especially when Nikola Jokic went down; he averaged 22 points a game when he was out. He was quite a factor.

At least you've seen that he's bought into a role before and that he's able to do those things. He's obviously able to do so much more, but with this league, sometimes you have to downsize yourself a little bit and do what the coaches ask of you... his representation is going to find the best spot for him financially and also as a player to spread his wings a little bit more.

It would be wise to keep an eye on the coming days and weeks to see whether or not Cleveland has more up its sleeve with still plenty of time to tweak the roster. Until then, Harden remains unsigned until the team's remaining roster spots are filled.