As the NBA trade deadline nears, the Cleveland Cavaliers will likely be sellers, and their veterans potentially on the trade block seem to know that.
By now, veteran players on the Cleveland Cavaliers that have a realistic chance to be traded likely know the deal: the near future is about rebuilding, and probably stockpiling assets. According to The Athletic’s Joe Vardon (subscription required), the players on Cleveland that are the most likely to be traded by the February 7 NBA trade deadline are Alec Burks, Rodney Hood, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson and Jordan Clarkson. Here at KJG, we’ve noted why these players could feasibly be traded in the coming weeks, and all these pieces don’t seem as if they’d be stunned if they were traded.
A source told The Athletic’s Kelly Iko (subscription required and h/t Sam Amico of Amico Hoops) that Burks is “95 percent tradeable.”
Burks has already been traded once this season, in which he and a future second-round draft pick were reportedly dealt to Cleveland in exchange for Kyle Korver. Since that time, Burks has taken advantage of his expanded role with the Cleveland Cavaliers, as he’s posted 11.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 28.0 minutes per game.
Even if he’s moved near the trade deadline and isn’t viewed as a cornerstone piece going forward for Cleveland, according to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, Burks “will still be appreciative of this opportunity.”
Young playmakers such as Collin Sexton and Cedi Osman should be grateful for the stabilizing presence Burks has provided in his time in Cleveland, and it’s nice to hear that it doesn’t seem like Burks would have hard feelings for Cleveland if he’s traded.
Hood is an obvious name to be involved in trade rumors, too (considering he also has an expiring contract) and he’s seemed to handle trade rumors well throughout this season.
He has an “implicit no-trade clause” because of him accepting his qualifying offer this past summer as a restricted free agent (per Hoops Rumors’ Luke Adams), but if a likely postseason team is the potential next step for Hood via trade, he doesn’t seem too phased, and essentially told the aforementioned Vardon when/if that situation presents itself, “I’ll be prepared then.”
Hood seems to be self-aware, and that’s a sign of growth for him.
The next name, Love, is the obvious one that has been involved in trade rumors for several years at this point. He’s continually expressed that he wants to be in Cleveland long-term, but has to realize that his contract extension price tag of over $120 million over four years (per Spotrac) is a steep bill to pay for a rebuilding team in the coming years, and that kicks in next season.
With that being the case, Love has to know that trading him has to be something the Cleveland Cavaliers are going to strongly consider if not now, in the near future. Considering he was on a team that went to four straight NBA Finals and won a ring, I would think Love wouldn’t be entirely pissed if he went to a postseason contender.
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The last two names mentioned by Vardon as pieces that have a good chance of being trade targets for opposing teams, Thompson and Clarkson, have had career years for Cleveland, despite the Cavs as a team being otherwise dreadful. Thompson has posted 11.5 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.8 steals per game, and reportedly taken over the primary leadership role on the Cavaliers.
That has to led the San Antonio Spurs to “have an interest” in Thompson (according to the previously mentioned Amico), and that’s not surprising, with how Thompson’s unselfish style of play, particularly off the ball, would be well-suited for the Spurs, who as Amico noted, “may also have an interest in Burks.”
Thompson told Vardon if a deal works out and “the pieces are guys they feel can help the franchise moving forward, I’m totally understanding.”
That kind of attitude from TT shows just what kind of teammate he is, and has always been for the Cavs. As Amico highlighted, even though, Cleveland is “in no hurry” to deal away Thompson, TT not bashing the concept of the Cavs moving on and trying to help acquire assets exemplifies what it means to truly be a “pro’s pro” in all circumstances, much like George Hill (who was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks) was earlier this season.
Clarkson should be applauded for his self-awareness, too. The 26-year-old has led all qualified Cleveland Cavaliers in scoring this year with 16.8 points per game on 53.9 percent true shooting, (per NBA.com) and with his bucket-getting off the bench, seems to know that he’s always had trade value (per Vardon) “because everybody wants a scorer off the bench, especially playoff teams.”
Clarkson would go on to emphasize that he wants to continue to build with Cleveland as they get healthier, and that loyalty is something I really respect in this Texas Chain Saw Massacre of a season. However, with Clarkson being one of the best bench scorers in the NBA and the Cavs having the league’s worst record, it’d be foolish to not at least see what you can get in exchange for him if you’re Cavs general manager Koby Altman.
With the Cavs likely needing to acquire as many future draft picks as they can in the coming weeks, it’s at least refreshing to know the notable veterans that could feasibly be dealt wouldn’t be taken off guard by Cleveland trading them. That Isaiah Thomas-Cavs trade deadline grudge stuff lasted way too long, and clearly, this rebuilding Cleveland situation won’t involve any of that.