Cleveland Cavaliers: Top 5 Trade Targets That Fit Into Their Reduced Trade Exception
Jameer Nelson
Jameer Nelson is one of the Cavs’ longtime targets and it’s interesting because Nelson is never publicly available in a trade.
Nonetheless, Nelson is playing behind Emmanuel Mudiay in Denver and guards like Jamal Murray and Will Barton can act as ball-handlers as well. If the Cavs were to try to trade for Nelson, it would likely be rebuffed because the Nuggets are trying to reach the playoffs and Nelson is the leader of their ball club behind the scenes.
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Yet, if the Nuggets fall too far from playoff contention the veteran ball-handler could be available in a trade as the Nuggets try to get ready for next season. As far as next season goes, a draft pick and a 21-year-old sharpshooter could be enough for the team.
This season, Nelson is averaging 8.6 points and 4.3 assists per game. He’s also shooting 38.3 percent from three-point range (45.0 percent on threes of the catch-and-shoot variety). Nelson, who is able to get to the rim consistently using the pick-and-roll and like Isaiah Thomas or Kay Felder, able to absorb a lot of contact with his compact frame. Nelson also thrives from 15-19 feet (around the free-throw line), making 52.5 percent of his shots from that range. That further aids him as a threat in the pick-and-roll, as he’s able to make shots from that range at 52.5 percent and converts at a 51.7 percent rate around the rim.
With the spacing he’ll get in the Cavs second unit, his finishing from around the rim will shoot up towards the 58.9 percent rate he makes for his career. He’s going to be able to run the offense for the second unit and create for both himself and others with a veteran savvy becoming of a player in his 13th season.