INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers waived undrafted free agent Marques Bolden and power forward Jarell Martin on Saturday, choosing to keep two roster spots open while exploring the market, league sources tell cleveland.com.

According to sources, the Cavs have been monitoring other cuts around the NBA and have many options they are currently discussing, including the possibility of putting in a claim on forward Alfonzo McKinnie, who was surprisingly waived by the Golden State Warriors. McKinnie has a $1.58 million non-guaranteed contract.

Memphis released forward Ivan Rabb, who could be another option for the Cavs. Rabb, 22, has ties to associate head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and while Rabb was set to make $1.6 million this season, that figure would still allow the Cavs to stay below the luxury tax threshold if they were to claim him.

The decision coming early on Martin, instead of waiting until Monday when waivers officially process, seems to indicate the Cavs feel good about the free agent options. In all, the list of available players after 5 p.m. will be long and the team wants to survey that landscape and weigh the many possibilities.

Players released on Saturday will be on waivers for 48 hours. Given the order is reversed from last year’s standings, the Cavaliers are in the second spot, behind the New York Knicks. However, the Knicks already have 15 guaranteed contracts while the Cavs sit at 13, putting Cleveland in prime position to make a waiver claim -- and receive that player.

The Cavs also have a trade exception they could use, taking on a player whose contract is about $2.7 million or less.

While rare, and only allowed for two weeks at a time, the other option is carrying 13 players into the season before having to sign a 14th. That two-week clock would start Monday.

Cleveland has planned all along to stay one below the max of 15 roster spots in order to keep flexibility. But going into the opener with 13, not including the pair of two-ways, would be a surprise. They need another body.

Center Ante Zizic is out approximately four weeks with plantar fasciitis. John Henson, expected to back up Tristan Thompson, missed all four preseason games because of groin and ankle injuries. Henson remains unable to fully practice and his status for the regular season opener on Wednesday remains in doubt. Swingman Dylan Windler is also sidelined because of a stress reaction in his left leg.

On Friday night, the Cavs claimed combo-forward Tyler Cook from the Denver Nuggets. Cook will receive Cleveland’s second two-way contract.

“I have a long history with Tyler and recruited him as well, and then playing against Iowa he got us some, we got him some, and I love the kid,” head coach John Beilein said. “So he’s going to be a great addition.”

Cook’s versatility and athleticism could allow him to mix in at center in a pinch, especially early in the season. Because Cook is on a two-way deal, by rule, he can spend up to 45 days with the NBA team. That clock doesn’t start until the G League season opener, which is Oct. 28. That means the Cavs could use Cook in the first two games of the season -- as an emergency center -- without those days counting against his total of 45.

As for Bolden, he signed a camp deal with an Exhibit 10 clause in his contract. The Cavs intend for him to return to the organization, playing in the G League for the Canton Charge. But other NBA teams have the option to sign him, perhaps giving him a two-way contract. As of earlier this afternoon, there were eight teams with at least one available two-way spot.

Get Cavs Insider texts in your phone from Chris Fedor: Cut through the clutter of social media and communicate directly with one of the NBA’s best beat reporters -- just like you would with your friends. It’s just $3.99 a month, which works out to about 13 cents a day. Learn more and sign up here.