Guards Alec Burks and Rodney Hood are the players most likely to be moved by the Cavaliers before the trade deadline, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic. Burks was acquired from Utah last month because of his movable $11.5MM expiring contract. He can provide scoring off the bench, defense and ball-handling for a playoff contender. Hood is a skilled player on an expiring $3.4MM contract, though he can’t be traded without his approval since he’s playing on a qualifying offer. Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson and Jordan Clarkson are other Cleveland players who could be moved at the right price. GM Koby Altman is seeking draft picks, multi-year contracts of expensive players who could be traded in the future, and young players with potential, Vardon adds.
We have more from around the Central Division:
- Pistons shooting guard Reggie Bullock and backup point guard Ish Smith are garnering trade interest, Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press reports. Detroit would like to re-sign both players, who are on expiring contracts, Ellis continues. Bullock is making $2.5MM this season and Smith is pulling in $6MM. An offer of a first-round pick could entice Detroit to move Bullock, Ellis adds.
- The steady diet of losses is weighing on the Cavaliers, Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes. The injury-riddled Cavs went 1-5 on their just concluded road trip. The Cavaliers don’t want to think that the rest of the season will be a slog to the finish line. “I don’t accept that,” Clarkson said. “I’m trying to compete in games. It’s tough. But we don’t even have a team. You’re playing Channing (Frye) right now and he wasn’t even getting no minutes this year. All these guys dealing with injuries and stuff like that. Sometimes coming into the game a little overmatched. But I’m not set on this is how we are.”
- Bulls guard Zach LaVine took a veiled shot at coach Jim Boylen after the team’s loss to Miami over the weekend, Michael Walton of NBC Sports Chicago reports. LaVine expressed his frustration that the team is playing worse despite getting some key pieces back in the lineup in recent weeks. “Something is obviously wrong,” he said. “We weren’t losing by double digits earlier in the season.” Many of the team’s issues can be attributed to Boylen’s unimaginative offensive scheme, Walton adds.
Hood looks back to his Utah form, and that would make him a buy; starting caliber “2G” at a great price.
OKC for sure, although they don’t have a full complement of assets left. Philly-? Houston might need more of a combo F type, but this may be the only non-minimum contract that Ebenezer Fertitta might be OK taking on.
Cavs guard Jordan Clarkson took a veiled shot at center Channing Frye.
Veiled by bad grammar and frustration.
Fedor, Cle.com:
“Cleveland used its 19th different starting lineup Saturday. The Cavs have missed the second-most games due to injury in the NBA this season.”
The Bulls need to just tank and call it a year. Draft well and get someone like Cam Reddish Or Zion and we will be alright for years to come.
How about Alec Burks for Gorgui Dieng and a 1st round pick?
If Cleveland is serious about taking on future salary, Minnesota really needs to take advantage of it. Minnesota’s 1st rounders for the next couple of years are likely to be in the 12-20 range, so it’s not really THAT big a risk. Maybe add a top 3 protection for the unlikely event they win the lottery.
Cavs need 1st rounders. The only way they do that is to get rid of their best plus take on horrible contracts which teams need to dump. An example would be a 1st rounder for taking on a player like Melo. (I realize he’s already been traded, but “a player like” was what I mean.).
Cap space for the Pistons next year. SA still interested in Johnson. Move Jackson as well.
link to espn.com