It’s the time of year that the trade winds blow down from the mountains, whistling through the passes and blowing open the shutters on houses. You can’t find an NBA outlet that is not discussing, pitching, evaluating or reacting to trades.
It’s with good reason, too; the vast majority of in-season trades occur in the week directly before the NBA Trade Deadline, and these deals have the potential to completely alter a franchise’s direction. The Cleveland Cavaliers have four starters in a five-starter sport and are calling around the league to look into various options.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have an obvious spot in their lineup to upgrade via trade.
The Cavs are no strangers to midseason trades, from adding Caris LeVert a year ago to trades for players like Larry Nance Jr., Jordan Clarkson, J.R. Smith and Timofey Mozgov. There is a very good chance this team does make a move at the deadline, either in search of that fifth starter at small forward or to simply add another piece to the bench.
The question that needs to be asked is whether the Cavaliers should make a trade by the Trade Deadline. The reasons for making the deal have been worked over; what about the reasons they should not? Let’s take a moment to play devil’s advocate and lay out the case: Why the Cavaliers should not make a trade this season.