NBA Trades: Teams Cavs Could Target

NBA Trades start to heat up this time of the year, even with the Trade Deadline not until February 18th.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a lot of talent on their roster and HC David Blatt still has to figure out the rotations. The Cavs are not as likely to be as active in NBA trades as they have in years past but will not stop looking.

The Cavs also have limited assets to try to trade. They can use the Traded Player Exceptions from Brendan Haywood and Mike Miller, can trade their 2018 1st Round pick as well as Cedi Osman and Joe Harris.

Some believe that Timofey Mozgov and Anderson Varejao could also be moved, in the right trade.

That leads to us looking at what teams the Cavs could try to target to make a move with. Today we are looking at three teams that are most likely to intrigue GM David Griffin.

Phoenix Suns

The Suns are in a place that they are likely to blow things up. Eric Bledsoe is hurt, Markieff Morris has been a distraction and Tyson Chandler hasn’t made enough of an impact. The owner got rid of two of Jeff Hornacek‘s assistant coaches and the head coach is in a precarious situation. The Suns need to figure out a direction and ridding themselves of some salary could be one way.

So who might the Cavs target?

Chandler – The lob catching, defensive minded center could be a perfect fit with the Cavs. His $13 million salary for the next 4 years might seem a little high but, with Mozgov becoming a free agent, might be the best option. Chandler’s rolls to the rim tend to end in a dunk, instead of a fumbled pass and weak finish that we have seen from Timo. Mozgov and Varejao’s salaries would work in this deal but what else would the Suns want?

Morris – Probably written about Morris far more than needed. He wants traded, has talent and is on a reasonable $8 million contract for 4 years. He is the type of high risk, high reward that the Cavs should take a risk on. Morris can play the 3 and 4 while providing an offensive punch off the bench. LeBron James‘ leadership should help Morris fit in. Haywood’s TPE & Osman should get it done as the benched Morris has a very low trade value at this point.

P.J. Tucker – Tucker has had a down year, scoring 6.2 points while shooting 33% from behind the arc. Last year, Tucker’s all around game was great. 9.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Tucker has lost minutes, down to 27.2 minutes per game, and could be had a reasonable price. The 30 year old doesn’t have the upside of Morris but is a solid all around player.

Boston Celtics

The Celtics are playing very well, 18 – 13, so they are unlikely to want to make a move with one of their core pieces. However, Danny Ainge has been itching to try to find a true star. They currently lack that. They have a number of players that would interest the Cavs or that the Cavs could get involved in a multi-team trade.

Avery Bradley – Perhaps my favorite player that I wish the Cavs could get. Bradley can play multiple positions, defends well and can shoot. With the Cavs he could backup a number of positions while not requiring plays to be run for him. He has 3 years and less than $8 million on his contract but would take a ton for the Cavs to get him.

Tyler Zeller – A name Cavs fans know well, Zeller has developed since being traded. He will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season but could give the Cavs a solid rotation big that can shoot, has improved as a defender and is a solid pro. Zeller would give the Cavs some youth and a much cheaper option than Mozgov after the season. The Celtics may not want to pay him what he could earn.

Jared Sullinger – Mostly because I want the Cavs to have as many Jared’s as possible, and Sullinger’s ability to play. His back injuries will give any team concern for paying him big money going forward. For the Cavs, he gives them a solid offensive big man that can play from the post and facing the basket. Not a perfect fit, if he can be had, the Cavs should jump.

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans thought they would be competitive this season, instead they have struggled greatly. At 10 – 21, only ahead of the LA Lakers, New Orleans has to try to do something. They have Anthony Davis and a bunch of players that don’t really fit around him. Another team the Cavs could target directly or as a part of a multi-team trade, the Pelicans are likely to make a move by the Trade Deadline.

Omer Asik – The defensive big man has seen his minutes drop substantially this season. He is down to 15.7 a game and only averaging 4.3 rebounds. Asik hasn’t blocked enough shots to have earned his reputation but he is a big body who has a history of helping teams’ defenses. His contract, over $9 million for 4 years, is a bit high but could be why the Pelicans look to move him.

Ryan Anderson – Someone the Cavs are unlikely to get, Anderson is a poor man’s Kevin Love. He is in the last year of his contract and likely to get a big deal after the season, if he stays healthy. He is averaging 16.8 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 44% from the field and 38% from deep. Anderson might be moved but the Cavs won’t likely have the ammunition to bring him in. That shouldn’t stop them from targeting him though.

Luke Babbitt – Not a name guy, also not getting paid a ton, Babbitt could give the Cavs another shooter from the wing. Last year he shot 51% from deep. The lefty strokes the ball well but hasn’t found a constant roll for the Pelicans. He may be attainable for cheap to give the Cavs some depth on the wing and protect against injuries.

This season’s Trade Deadline is likely to be a very interesting one. With the Salary Cap likely to sky rocket next year, teams are not as likely to move salary for little or nothing. The Cavs may decide to sit still and let their players gel together. However, if they can target one of these teams to add talent, they would be foolish to not do so.

More from King James Gospel

There are a number of teams that might want to add Osman or the ’18 first round pick. It is possible that there are teams that will look to dump salary, into either the Cavs TPEs or Varejao’s creative contract. With Mozgov becoming a free agent at the end of the season, and no easy way to replace him if he leaves, the Cavs might target a b

With Mozgov becoming a free agent at the end of the season, and no easy way to replace him if he leaves, the Cavs might target a big man. With a need for an infusion of athleticism, a wing player might be the target.

The Cavs may not be involved in NBA trades this season but the Suns, Celtics and Pelicans are three teams they should target.