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Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 Trades The Team Can Make Before The NBA Trade Deadline

By Quenton S. Albertie

Dec 5, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) celebrates Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson's (1) game tying shot during the fourth quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. The Nuggets won 108-105. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) celebrates Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson's (1) game tying shot during the fourth quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. The Nuggets won 108-105. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 5, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) celebrates Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson's (1) game tying shot during the fourth quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. The Nuggets won 108-105. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) celebrates Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson’s (1) game tying shot during the fourth quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. The Nuggets won 108-105. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Nuggets

In this trade, the Cleveland Cavaliers are trading two young 3-and-D players for the experienced floor general Jameer Nelson and Will Barton, a versatile wing with all-around ability.

Nelson, who is averaging 5.0 assists per game, instantly becomes the team’s second unit floor general and would be able to contribute to the team with 10-15 minutes of solid point guard play every night. Nelson is still able to get to the rim off of screens and would put the Cavs in a lot of pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop situations. Nelson can also play shooting guard and operate as an off-ball catch-and-shoot player.

Nelson would be joined on the bench by Barton, who would be the type of playmaker the Cleveland Cavaliers want in the second unit with his length, quickness, ball-handling and shooting ability. With Kyle Korver in the second unit with Channing Frye, Barton will have no issues attacking the rim in the halfcourt or in transition. Barton, who is also capable of being a facilitator and averages 3.4 assists per game, wouldn’t have issues finding shooters behind the line or a player cutting towards the rim either.

Whether or not the Cleveland Cavaliers made this trade would depend on what they think of Barton as a player. In my opinion, Barton is a 26-year-old wing with playoff experience and a playmaker who can thrive in the second unit. I’d trade for him even if it took both Shumpert and Cedi Osman.