The Cavaliers have interest in Mavericks wing Tim Hardaway Jr., Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com said during an appearance on Jake Fischer’s Please Don’t Aggregate This podcast. Fedor identified Hardaway as a possible target for Cleveland after Fischer discussed the team’s interest in Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanovic.
“I would add another name,” Fedor said (hat tip to HoopsHype). “The Cavs believe this player is available, and my sources tell me that he could be had. It’s, again, at the right price. And it’s a little bit tricky, because he’s on a team that’s fourth place currently in the Western Conference.
“Tim Hardaway Jr. is somebody that the Cavs have been watching and they’ve been keeping an eye on. And I think if the Cavs had their choice, it would be very, very close. And they’re not going to have their choice, it doesn’t work that way, but if they had their choice, it would be between Bojan and Tim Hardaway Jr.”
The Cavaliers have two All-Stars (Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell) in their backcourt, with All-Star center Jarrett Allen and last year’s No. 3 overall pick Evan Mobley up front. The small forward spot is the only one in the starting five that remains a question mark, with players like Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro, Lamar Stevens, and Dean Wade cycling through it this season.
Fischer, having reported earlier this week that the Cavs are in the market for a defensive-minded wing who is also an outside shooting threat, likes the idea of Hardway for Cleveland, especially since LeVert would probably have to be included in a hypothetical trade (his $18MM+ salary is within $1MM of Hardaway’s). The Mavs kicked the tires on LeVert before Cleveland acquired him from Indiana a year ago, according to Fischer, who also suggested that Dallas has been seeking another shot creator to complement Luka Doncic.
Fedor believes a trade centered around Hardaway and LeVert would be a “logical stylistic swap,” though he acknowledged that there could be some obstacles. Hardaway is under contract for two seasons beyond this one, so the Cavs may be reluctant to make that sort of commitment before seeing how he fits (LeVert is on an expiring deal). Both Fischer and Fedor also agreed that the Cavs may want an extra asset as opposed to making a one-for-one trade.
Here are a few more Cavs-related notes from the podcast:
- “I’ve been told that the Cavs are not going to trade Isaac unless they get a significant piece back in return,” Fedor stated, referring to Okoro. Fedor initially said he’s not quite sure what sort of player would fit that profile, but agreed with Fischer when he suggested Raptors forward OG Anunoby. It’s difficult to imagine the Cavaliers having enough ammo to land Anunoby even if they were willing to include Okoro, since they can’t currently trade any of their future first-round picks.
- The Cavaliers are about $2.5MM below the luxury tax threshold and are unwilling to go into the tax this season, per Fedor. That will be a factor to watch as Cleveland consider possible deals.
- Neither Fischer nor Fedor gets the sense that Suns forward Jae Crowder is a target for the Cavaliers, and Fedor said he also heard that the club is “not all that interested” in Magic wing Terrence Ross.
- The Cavs won’t make a trade just to make one, Fedor said, adding that some people within the organization want to see what it looks like if Wade gets an extended shot at the starting small forward job. Wade made nine starts earlier in the season, but has been out since December 2 due to a shoulder injury.
Surprised if the Mavs or the Cavs would want to do a Hardaway Jr deal, that’s weird. The Mavs need him if they’re going to make another playoff push this year. They made it to the conference finals last year without him and without Wood being on the squad. Those guys move the needle. I’d want to see how far.
If anything the Mavs should be adding a Bogdanovic or a Crowder. I guess I’d do the LaVert swap if I’m the Mavs to get out from under that contract but why would the Cavs do that? I guess for the second unit scoring or to have a knock down shooter at SF alongside Mitchell and Garland. Still it seems more of a lateral move for each team and a lateral move isn’t worth it for the team taking on the contract of Hardaway
Hardaway has 3 years on his contract. Mavs also have Bullock, Finney-Smith (injured) and Josh Green (injured, coming back this week/next week) so there is some roster redundancy here. The Cavs have some trade exceptions, but I’m not sure what they are thinking to make the deal work.
Kevin Love (Dallas desperately needs a PF and rebounding) for Hardaway (wing volume scorer) + JaVale McGee (Cleveland could use a true backup C) would be interesting for both clubs.
What? That trade would make absolutely no sense for Dallas. Why would they want a 20-minute-a-game player who can’t defend the rim and can’t guard his own shadow? And why would Cleveland want two role players with 2 1/2 years left on their contracts? McGee is going to opt into his third year. And Cleveland does not need a “true backup C,” whatever that is supposed to mean.
Another reason I think the Cavs would make the trade is because they won’t have cap space either way. With THJr they would already have a cost assured player in that slot. If LeVert doesn’t resign we would only have the MLE.
Do Cavs have a First to get Bogdan?
LeVert is a good fit for Mavs
I don’t see Cavs can beat 76ers in the first round playoffs
No, they don’t have a first-round pick to get anybody, their first-round picks are encumbered until the end of the decade.
What doesn’t make sense is cavs picking up those 2 extra years when they are going to need that money to pay their all stars so unless the owner is willing to go way over the cap in the future it will not happen.
There are so many loopholes around the cap that I don’t think that really matters. It’s just a matter of whether they’d be interested or not in committing to Hardaway for two more years at that price.
Dan Gilbert paid huge luxury tax bills during LeBron’s most recent stint there, so I think he’d be willing to do that if the Cavs have a legitimate shot at winning a title. They just probably don’t want to start the clock on that this year since the repeater tax penalties get increasingly worse.
Gilbert will never pay the luxury tax again. It made sense when James was making revenue go through the roof. Gilbert only looks out for Gilbert.
They’re going to pay a similar figure o re-sign LeVert anyway. They can’t lose him for nothing.
Why can’t they lose LeVert for nothing? Who cares?
Hardaway would be perfect for the Cavs.
Agreed
Mavs would say no
You can do
Mavs get Okoro and LeVert
Cavs get McGee and Hardaway
Substitute Lopez or Stevens, because Cavs are keeping Okoro. Unless you want to throw in a first.
the Contract length is a factor.
Expiring contract has little value.
Cavs have to add Okoro in the deal and Mavs can only give Cavs a 2nd rounder.
Why in the hell would any team want Okoro? The answer is they wouldn’t.
Why ?? Use LeVert . He’s better than Hardaway.
They are using him.
LeVert is not a better shooter. His shot creation isn’t needed anymore now that the team has Mitchell.
Particularly if Rubio comes back effectively
.37% 3PT FG, .75% FT. shoots the same as Hardaway. And is a better scorer. Plus plays D. Yeah I get it now. Let’s get worse ? K
I would do hardaway and bertans for love and Dylan windler or cedi osman.
Both teams would say no
Hardaway is a top tier 3-point shooter.
Cavs don’t want Bertans contract
Cavs will lose a tradeable asset if they don’t deal LeVert at the deadline. He’s a free agent this summer and to re-sign him would probably be more years and more money than Hardaway’s contract. The problem would be that Hardaway might not be tradeable next year if he doesn’t fit in. Cavs are going to ask for a first to take that risk, and also to relieve Dallas of that contract. Remember that LeVert previously teamed with Dinwiddie in Brooklyn, so the Mavs have some idea how he could fit. I could see the Cavs adding a couple seconds to even it out. Or maybe expanding the deal to include McGee, Stevens, or Windler.
If DAL can get rid of two years and 38 mm on THJ’s contract, and get a more complete player in return, it’s a steal. Do it. Problem is CLE would be nuts to do it.
What happened to CLE wanting a 3&D wing? This was per Fischer, and who floated Crowder (not a wing and shaky on the 3). Now THJ, who is certainly not “D” (assuming it still means defense) and is too streaky with the 3 to rely on in big spots. His dad was a great player though.
Dallas needs to add shooting wings, not get rid of them. I don’t see it happening. DFS/ Bullock provide the defense, but don’t contribute offensively nearly enough, sometimes at all.
LeVert is at 13 pts, 4, reb, 4 ast. In 31 mins a gm. His shooting is solid. He’s a good D player. He’s still adjusting to Mitchell. He’s a scorer so I can see improvement there. If you can trade for a player you want to keep. Then I can see trading LeVert. He’s going to get better with time. I think he’s excellent as their third guard. But he probably wants to start. And he can on some teams. Can start with Knicks.
Could be a way for the Mavs to deal for Draymond with LeVerts expiring deal.
Why is Okoro still considered a special prize of a player? For what could the Cavs be still very high on him as is suggested in this?
Cavs just need Dean Wade healthy. He is a better defender than Detroit Bog or Hardaway, and he efficient from 3. I don’t think a real upgrade is available, and this team doesn’t compete for a title until Mobley develops.
Fischer and Fedor are talking out of their respective rear ends. Why does this guy Adams always regurgitate crap? If you’re going to spread rumors, could you at least make some of them plausible? Please?