It has been a busy season on the trade market for the Cavaliers, who entered sell mode early and have moved Kyle Korver, George Hill, and Alec Burks in separate deals over the course of the 2018/19 campaign.
Even after all that action, the Cavaliers may not be done dealing, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, who reports that Cleveland’s front office is still exploring the market in search of a possible home for J.R. Smith. Although the Cavs plan to continue their efforts to move Smith right up until today’s deadline, making a deal is “easier said than done,” a source tells Fedor.
Despite the fact that Smith is on a pseudo-expiring contract, with only $3.87MM of his $15.68MM salary for 2019/20 guaranteed, his $14.72MM cap hit for this season – and the fact that he hasn’t played in an NBA game since mid-November – will be a tough sell. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Smith ultimately ends up on the buyout market after the deadline.
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- We’ve heard that the Pacers might be willing to move Cory Joseph and Darren Collison, but it’s their other point guard – rookie Aaron Holiday – who has been a popular target for teams making inquiries, writes J. Michael of The Indianapolis Star. Although Indiana initially took those calls, the club has now pulled Holiday off the table and has no plans to deal him this week, a source tells Michael.
- While the Hornets remain in the mix for Marc Gasol, they’re also still on the lookout for a potential landing spot for Frank Kaminsky, independent of a Gasol deal, tweets Sporting News’ Sean Deveney. Kaminsky, who has played just 41 minutes in Charlotte’s last 23 games, would presumably welcome a change of scenery.
- Despite some rumors this week involving the Raptors, Mike Conley, and Kyle Lowry, there’s currently no traction on a Toronto deal that would include those players, tweets Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca.
- The Magic and the Bulls are among the clubs that have expressed some level of interest in Clippers point guard Milos Teodosic, according to Orazio Cauchi of Sportando, who hears that a Teodosic trade is still possible. As we heard earlier in the season, the former EuroLeague star also continues to draw plenty of interest from international teams, Cauchi notes.
I’m going to build off the basic framework of Biyombo, MKG, and a 1st for Gasol. Maybe Charlotte will add Kaminsky and possibly a 2nd to get Temple or Holiday.
If raptors don’t go big, an option might be to pick up Vince! Carter could provide an up and down raptors bench with some leadership and calm before the storm! Last year Toronto’s bench was one of the best, but with Siakim as a starter and Poeltl gone, it’s not the same. Would be nice to see Vince come full circle!
Pass on Vince, this is Kawhi’s team now.
I love Kawhi and the way he goes about business, but probably only here a year, sadly! I don’t think he’s very vocal though and Vinny can also shoot 3’s! Oh ya, this is Ujiri’s team!!
I mean Carter wouldn’t be the face of the team coming in, he’d be there for some rotation minutes and veteran mentor to some of the young guys.
Exactly
I think the only way that could happen would be a buyout or a trade with someone like Bazemore and Air Canada for Valanciunas
Love the Bulls move to get Otto Porter, Jr. for two guys they were going to let walk after season. Robin Lopez needs to be moved next.
The Lowry and Conley rumors are as real as the “mystery teams” trying to sign Machado.
I hope Teodosic will go to a team that will not just play him, but give him some say in the offense. Say, Orlando. I wanted IT there for the same reason, but I guess they were right for overlooking him, since he’s not good to go yet.