Cleveland Cavaliers: Potential trade with the Houston Rockets

The Logistics

With Chauncey Billups supposedly stepping into office, this trade could be monumental for his legacy and confidence moving forward.  With the whole world watching, completing a morale-boosting and financially pragmatic trade this early in the Billups era could be exactly what the Cavaliers organization needs in times of such uncertainty.  It just so happens to be the case that the Rockets are offering what the Cavaliers desperately require, as well.

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The Cavaliers are reportedly unhappy with Iman Shumpert’s finals performance and we, at King James Gospel, believe he is the most movable Cavalier.  One of the front office goals has been to strengthen the Cavaliers bench, but that has far from come to fruition.  In fact, the Cavaliers bench is probably what cost them Game 5 and essentially the NBA Finals.  Attaining 6th Man of the Year Candidate Lou Williams would bolster the Cavaliers bench production by a great margin.  Williams’ 17.5 points per game would be a ten point upgrade over Shumpert’s 7.5 average.

On the other hand, the Cavaliers would also acquire the tenacious PG Patrick Beverley.  A player like Beverley is what the Cavaliers need to compete; Beverley brings a scrappy defensive pressure, heart, and a nothing-to-lose attitude to the table.  He is also an NBA veteran that would provide stability at the backup point guard position — something that has recently been so elusive to the Cavaliers.

Both Beverley and Williams together provide upgraded defense and scoring, as well as a determination to succeed.

Logistically, trading Shumpert for Beverley and Williams works out perfectly.  By completing this trade, the Rockets would free up about 4 million dollars a year in cap space without losing too much bench production.  The Cavaliers, on the other hand, would be getting the pieces they were so obviously missing throughout the NBA Finals; Cleveland might also opt into utilizing their near 5 million dollar trade exception, meaning they would acquire Beverley at nearly no cost this year.

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If both teams get what they want and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, I say go for it. With Osman in there, the Rockets can even gain some youth. Win-win, right?