Brendan Haywood: 5 Trade Scenarios Still Possible

Dec 25, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Brendan Haywood (33) arrives before a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Cavaliers have one big transaction left: Trading Brendan Haywood contract. LeBron James still needs to sign his contract and Tristan Thompson has some details left to work out, but both are expected to be sewn up quickly. J.R. Smith could return and they can use their $3.5 million mini mid-level but Haywood’s deal is the last chance to make a big splash this off-season.

Dan Gilbert has already committed to spend a ton on Kevin Love, Iman Shumpert, Thompson and LeBron. Using Haywood’s contract to bring in $10 – 11 million would cost him about $30 million in tax penalties. He seems willing to do so.

A few details about a Haywood deal:

• Whatever team has Haywood must waive him by August 1st to avoid paying him the $10.5 million.
• The Cavs can bring back between $7 and about 13 million in contract.

Interestingly there have been four trades already this off-season that have been pure salary cap dumps.

• The San Antonio Spurs traded C Tiago Splitter to the Atlanta Hawks, freeing up cap space in pursuit of LaMarcus Aldridge.
• The Phoenix Suns traded SFs Reggie Bullock and Danny Granger and PF Marcus Morris to the Detroit Pistons, freeing up cap space in pursuit of LaMarcus Aldridge.
• The Milwaukee Bucks traded F Jared Dudley to the Washington Wizards, freeing up a roster spot as well as cap space.
• The Sacremento Kings traded SG Nik Stauskas and Fs Carl Landry and Jason Thompson to the Philadelphia 76ers, freeing up cap space to not get anyone to sign on for their dysfunction.

That is a lot of trades already completed without the Cavs getting involved with Brendan Haywood’s contract. It is likely that GM David Griffin was aware of these trade options and decided to sit still. So what kind of options does that leave the Cavs?

Time to take a look at 5 realistic trade scenarios for the Cavaliers starting with getting involved with the Kings and Sixers trade.

Next: 3 Way Deal