Nov 19, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) smiles against the Boston Celtics during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics won 101-90. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
As Thanksgiving dinner starts to come to a close, tradition used to be the opening of the Black Friday ads and starting to make a shopping list. A plan was hatched, a map was devised and responsibilities were divided among the brave souls choosing to brave the cold for the great deals. Others, often smarter (or lazier), laughed and swore they never would join in the craziness.
Then something happened over the last few years. Black Friday ads were available online about a month in advance and Black Friday actually started on Thursday. Not midnight Thursday going into Friday but actually on Thursday. Now most stores start their Black Friday sales before the kickoff of the second NFL game Thanksgiving Day. Many are still sitting around their empty plates, too full to put them in the kitchen, while still others are in the midst of their meal.
For the Cleveland Cavaliers season this analogy is spot on. The NBA Trading Deadline is a long ways off, and most years that is when trades are made. Yet for the Cavs, with all the hype and expectations, Black Friday shopping has come early this year and GM David Griffin is going through every NBA roster like it is that special Best Buy ad.
We believe we have a good idea of what type of items are on Griff’s shopping list and speculate on possible purchases he might be looking to make to fill the needs he has listed:
Rim Protector
The Cavs defense can be good but it requires a high amount of effort from every player on almost every defensive play to make it work. A weakside rim protector could solve many mistakes and give the Cavs a chance to be good night in and night out.
- John Henson – Henson has been buried by the Milwaukee Bucks and fits into the trade exception that the Cavs have. Henson is long and lanky and has shown the ability to block shots from the weakside. He is not strong and could get bullied around but his length and athleticism would be a great fit.
- Timofey Mozgov – Coach David Blatt has a history with Mozgov and would know how to use him. He is very limited in range on the offensive side of the ball but has size and bulk that could really help the Cavaliers.
- Ed Davis – Davis, a one time lottery bust, is playing well in limited minutes with the LA Lakers. He is 17th in the league in blocks per game, 1.47, and has shown a knack on the defensive end of the floor. His offensive game has improved to the point he is not a liability. The Lakers have some long term needs and moving Davis could help them build for the future, even though Davis is only in his 4th season.
- Samuel Dalembert – Opposite the first three, Dalembert is a long time veteran of the NBA. He is playing less than 20 minutes per game for the Knicks but still averaging 1.44 blocks per game. The Knicks are 4 – 12 and will likely have a fire sale at some point. Dalembert is one piece that is likely to move.
- Nerlens Noel – A very unlikely scenario but according to some reports out of Philly, Noel could be traded. Many had high hopes for Noel coming into the season but his offensive game hasn’t developed as they had hoped. Joel Embiid and Dario Saric are likely the future of the 76ers frontcourt. The Cavs could try to sell off their remaining assets, Dion Waiters, Memphis pick and anything else they can to bring in the young guy to develop with the rest of the core.