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Kemba Walker, DeAndre Jordan are the Cleveland Cavaliers last chance to rescue their season

By Nathan Beighle

PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 27: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers reacts to a play against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 27, 2016 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 27: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers reacts to a play against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 27, 2016 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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If the Cleveland Cavaliers hope to save their season, they must trade for either Kemba Walker or DeAndre Jordan.

After being up 21 points, the Cleveland Cavaliers ended up losing by 18 points to the East’s second-worst team, the Orlando Magic. Just one day later, they gave up 99 points through three quarters to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Something must change.

This has been the trend all season long. The Cavs continue to have one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA. The Cleveland Cavaliers are ranked No. 28 in defensive rating and are just 0.5 points ahead of the Phoenix Suns, who are seemingly already in tank mode.

So, there are two drastic options left for Cleveland if they want to turn their season around. They can either trade for point guard Kemba Walker, who is apparently not being shopped, or center DeAndre Jordan, who is one of the league’s most prominent defenders.

According to the Charlotte Observer, the Hornets are at least listening to offers for Walker, so there is some hope.

While not a phenomenal defender, Kemba Walker, who ranks No. 41 of 99 qualified point guards in ESPN’s defensive real plus/minus rating, is a significant upgrade over Isaiah Thomas. Thomas is only 5-foot-9 and gives up at least three inches to most other point guards.

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Walker has averaged 22.6 points per game this season, ranking No. 18 in the NBA. Walker is a phenomenal player with one year left on his mere $12 million per year contract.

As for DeAndre Jordan, he’s dominant in the paint. Jordan has averaged 14.9 rebounds per game this season which is just shy of a career-high for him. He’s also averaging a career-high 58.8% from the free throw line.

Jordan, who has averaged two or more blocks for four of his ten seasons in the NBA, would certainly be a huge upgrade over Tristan Thompson, even though Thompson’s defense is not necessarily the problem with the Cavs.

Earlier in the season, fans had aspirations of superstar talent coming to Cleveland in exchange for their spare parts and the Nets’ pick. That quickly changed when both the Timberwolves and Thunder started to make runs and climb the Western Conference table.

Although not quite the talent that George or Butler is, Jordan or Walker will come at a similar cost. The Brooklyn Nets pick is almost guaranteed to be in any deal for either of the two players. While trades for Walker have just been preliminary ideas from analysts, the Clippers already turned down a trade involving JR Smith, Tristan Thompson, and Cleveland’s first-round pick.

It’s not guaranteed that a deal will be done, but if the Cavaliers are serious about turning their season around and returning to the Finals for the fourth straight season, they will get their act together and bring in one of these two players.

Must Read: Cleveland Cavaliers: Analyzing the Cavs five realistic trade partners

So, since the asking price has been set, if you’re Koby Altman would you pull the trigger on a trade for either of these stars?