Cavs Trades: Five Deals That Make Sense

Jan 2, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; New York Knicks guard Iman Shumpert (21) celebrates a score with J.R. Smith (right) during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. The Knicks won 105-101. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Cavaliers have already pulled off a big trade. They traded one of their best trade assets, former first round pick, 4th overall pick, Dion Waiters in exchange for a defensive two guard, Iman Shumpert, an older version of Waiters for off the bench, J.R. Smith, and a first round pick, protected this season in the Top 18. The Cavs may also acquire Samuel Dalembert after he is waived by the Knicks, the shot blocking, veteran center couldn’t fit financially into the deal yesterday.

Yet the Cavaliers are still out shopping for more help, most particularly a rim protecting big man. GM David Griffin has shown he is willing to be an aggressive, creative player in trade talks. We don’t expect that to stop.

Since he took over last year, following Chris Grant’s firing on February 8th, Griffin has completed a number of trades. He traded spare parts and second round picks for Spencer Hawes. Hawes floor spacing played well with the Cavs young team at the end of the season. Hawes left for a big contract with the L.A. Clippers.

Griffin traded Jarrett Jack, Tyler Zeller and Sergey Karasev (a big free agent signing from one year prior and two first round picks) along with the Cavs 2016 first round pick to free up enough cap space to sign LeBron James.

After signing James he then traded former #1 overall picks Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett to acquire Kevin Love.

Yesterday’s trade was his fourth of note in less than a year, and the first time he acquired a draft pick of substance since taking over the team. Many believe that the pick he acquired from Oklahoma City Thunder is readily available this year in his pursuit of a big man.

So let us take a look at five deals that make sense for the Cavaliers, but before we do we will take a look at a few players that just missed the cut.

Next: Four That Just Missed the Cut