2 trade targets Cavs should consider pursuing on the Pistons

Potential target #2 from Pistons: Nerlens Noel

As for another logical trade target, Nerlens Noel could be for the Cavaliers; he originally was traded to Detroit with Burks as well, as an aside. Admittedly, some of the reasoning for suggesting him could be in a possible LeVert trade, would be for salary matching with a player like Burks attached in this case, but Noel could be a functional bench contributor in spurts, too. And the Cavs could still use more playable depth at the backup 5.

Noel is a player that has bounced around, similarly to Burks, in recent seasons, and given the Pistons’ rebuilding situation, has played sparingly. He’s only appeared in 13 games this season, in which he’s played less than 12 minutes on average. Despite that, he is still a rotational big that can fill a role in a meaningful way in time off the bench, and he could be viable defensively for stretches to give Jarrett Allen a breather.

This season, Noel has had 2.2 blocks per-36 minutes, just under his career average (2.4), and he can aid the team on both ends on the glass in spurts. And while it might not be for considerable stretches, having an additional rim protector at their disposal, and a 6-foot-10 player with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, would be beneficial for the Wine and Gold, though feasibly not in an every-game basis.

But Noel at this stage is more viable than Robin Lopez, and whether or not he were to be regularly in the rotation, he could be another potential asset for the upcoming offseason as well. In the case with Noel, he does have a $9.7 million club option for next season, too, so that could come off the books, anyway.

If Noel were to essentially be involved as salary filler in a potential trade with Burks, say if the option was later exercised, he could still theoretically be a competent defensive and energy big for the Cavs to have, maybe as part of a package in a LeVert trade. Lopez could seemingly be involved as well, in that scenario.

Anyhow, in short, keep an eye on the Pistons as a potential trade partner for the Cavs leading into the upcoming deadline.