Cavs interested in acquiring Kent Bazemore
The Cleveland Cavaliers could make a move for Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Kent Bazemore.
According to TNT analyst David Aldridge, the Cleveland Cavaliers have expressed interest in trading for Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Kent Bazemore.
"The Cavs have also asked about Atlanta’s Kent Bazemore, according to league sources."
Aldridge’s report makes Bazemore the latest target in an ever-growing pool of players. Over the past couple of weeks, the Cavs have expressed interest in DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams of the Los Angeles Clippers as well as George Hill of the Sacramento Kings.
One would nearly have to assume the Cavs have interest in Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker, who is available for the right price, while they wait for fellow All-Stars like New Orleans Pelicans big men DeMarcus Cousins or Oklahoma City Thunder swingman Paul George to hit the market.
Bazemore, a 28-year-old who doesn’t quite fit in with the Hawks youth movement, has averaged 12.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.8 steals in 28.3 minutes per game this season. All these numbers are career-highs for the six-year pro. Bazemore is shooting 41.4 percent from the field and a career-high 38.6 percent from three-point range as well.
Bazemore, whose personality is Lance Stephenson-ish, isn’t a perfect prospect. His shot-selection isn’t amazing and his jump shot isn’t pure by any stretch of the imagination; which is to be expected from players with a career field goal percentage of 42.2.
However, Bazemore does bring defensive ability, intensity, athleticism and a 6-foot-5 body with a 7-foot wingspan night in and night out. He’s currently 5th in the NBA in total steals (82)
While his ability to make some plays out of the pick-and-roll is improving and Bazemore has been knocking down 43.8 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes this season, the defensive end is where Bazemore would help the most.
He’s a player who can guard all three perimeter positions, alleviating some pressure off of players like Isaiah Thomas, Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade. His steals will allow the team to get out in transition where LeBron James can wreak havoc.
Bazemore is severely overpaid though. He’s making $16.9 million this season and his salary will escalate for the next two seasons before his contract expires in 2020. Trading for Bazemore would likely require some mix of Iman Shumpert, Channing Frye and a second-round pick. Frye is on the last season of his contract while Shumpert can opt out his contract in the summer and choose his own team (and situation) for the first time.
It remains to be seen who else the Cavs will target but one thing is clear: they’re definitely looking to make at least one move before the trade deadline.
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*Unless otherwise referenced, stats gathered from www.basketball-reference.com