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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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NBA: Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Pelicans
NBA: Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Pelicans /

New Orleans Pelicans

In this trade, the Cavs give up Iman Shumpert but they receive the speedy Tim Frazier and a center with two-way ability in Alexis Ajinca.

Frazier, who isn’t a strong defensive player because of his size but is a point guard who constantly pushes the pace in the open court, is a player who fits in perfectly with the offensive system, that Tyronn Lue wants to run. He’ll get to the rim incessantly and find shooters and rim-runners the entire time he’s on the floor. In the halfcourt, Frazier, who averages 5.7 assists per game, can make any pass so he can operate with or without a screen to set up shooters and big men.

Although the Cleveland Cavaliers have interest in Larry Sanders, Ajinca is a player in game shape and ready to contribute. He’ll still be valuable insurance for the Cavs frontcourt even if Sanders is signed. Ajinca isn’t the most mobile center in the league but he has rim-protecting ability with averages of 1.7 blocks per 36 minutes for his career. Ajinca can also stretch the floor. He’s hitting 53.8 percent of his shots from 10-16 feet away from the rim this season. He hit 46.8 percent of his shots from 16 feet away to three-point range last season.

After this trade, the Cleveland Cavaliers can sign Derrick Williams and Sanders and be set with solid depth at all three positions. Without Shumpert or the injured Kevin Love on the court, expect James Jones to get a lot of playing time until J.R. Smith and Love return in April.

Related Story: What Larry Sanders Would Bring To The Cleveland Cavaliers

Which of these trades do you like most for the Cleveland Cavaliers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.