Cleveland Cavaliers Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Cavaliers To Work Out Larry Sanders

February 22nd, 2017 at 7:35am CST by Luke Adams

The Cavaliers have had discussions with Joel Bell, the agent for free agent big man Larry Sanders, league sources tell Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.net. Chris Haynes of ESPN.com tweets that Cleveland is believed to have a workout lined up with Sanders, while Keith Smith of RealGM adds (via Twitter) that the audition will happen today.

With Chris Andersen no longer on the roster and Kevin Love on the shelf with a knee injury, the Cavs are fairly thin in the frontcourt, so if Sanders impresses in his workout, he could earn a deal with the team, as Smith notes. Currently, the Cavs have 13 fully guaranteed contracts on their books, with Derrick Williams set to sign a new 10-day deal. That leaves one open roster spot, though I’d expect Cleveland to wait until after the trade deadline to make a decision on Sanders or any other free agent.

A first-round pick in 2010, Sanders hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2014/15 season, when he announced that he was leaving the game for personal reasons. The Bucks waived him under the stretch provision, and he remains on the team’s cap at about $1.866MM per season through 2021/22. That figure would be reduced by setoff if he signs with another organization.

Sanders, now 28, flashed promising upside during his initial stint in the NBA. In the 2012/13 season, the last time he was fully healthy, Sanders averaged 9.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. Injuries and off-the-court problems limited him to 50 games over his last two seasons in the NBA.

Bell recently expressed optimism that his client would be on an NBA roster soon, telling Gery Woelfel of The Racine Journal Times that a lot of teams had expressed interest in Sanders, and at least one of those clubs had made a contract offer.

Shumpert Definitely Available, Teams Interested

February 21st, 2017 at 4:54pm CST by Austin Kent

The Cavaliers, who watched two trade exceptions expire yesterday, won’t be making a trade just for the sake of making one, tweets Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio. Things can change, he says, but he doesn’t suspect they’ll force anything. Alex Kennedy of Hoops Hype, on the other hand, would be “shocked” if the Cavs don’t make a move.

The Cavaliers, who watched two trade exceptions expire yesterday, won’t be making a trade just for the sake of making one, tweets Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio. Things can change, he says, but he doesn’t suspect they’ll force anything. Alex Kennedy of Hoops Hype, on the other hand, would be “shocked” if the Cavs don’t make a move.
There’s no denying that the Cavaliers have made Iman Shumpert available, tweets Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio. There is indeed interest, Amico adds.

Agent Rob Pelinka Frontrunner For Lakers’ GM Job

February 21st, 2017 at 1:48pm CST by Luke Adams

With general manager Mitch Kupchak and executive VP of basketball operations Jim Buss having been relieved of their duties in the Lakers’ front office, new president of basketball operations Magic Johnson will call the shots in L.A. However, the club remains on the lookout for a new GM, and according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical and Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report (Twitter links), longtime player agent Rob Pelinka has emerged as a frontrunner for the position.

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne first reported (via Twitter) that Pelinka, who represents Kobe Bryant and many current NBA players, was on the Lakers’ radar for a front office role. If the team decides to hire Pelinka, he would have to divest himself of his representation business, which would take some time, as Wojnarowski notes (via Twitter).

Several other rumors are swirling as the Lakers’ front office undergoes major changes, so let’s round them up…

Assuming the Lakers haven’t already decided on Pelinka, there are a number of other potential candidates believed to be on their radar, per Sam Amick of USA Today (Twitter links). According to Amick, Blazers GM Neil Olshey, former Cavs GM Chris Grant, Pacers GM Kevin Pritchard, and Pacers VP of basketball operations Peter Dinwiddie are worth keeping an eye on.
ESPN’s Marc Stein reports (via Twitter) that another veteran player agent – Arn Tellem – is also said to be a potential target for the Lakers. However, as Rod Beard of The Detroit News tweets, Tellem – who formerly represented Kobe Bryant – has been very involved in the Pistons‘ move to downtown Detroit and seems unlikely to bolt in the middle of that project.
Magic Johnson has previously talked about wanting Bryant to have a role in the Lakers’ front office. Shelburne tweets that the future Hall-of-Famer is “happy doing what he’s doing,” but would be available to the organization if needed.
Jerry West hasn’t been approached by the Lakers about a role in the team’s front office, tweets Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times. According to Ding (via Twitter), West won’t be a part of the club’s new management group.
According to Tim Kawakami of The San Jose Mercury News (Twitter links), one reason the Warriors were motivated to give GM Bob Myers a promotion and a raise last summer was to avoid making him a target for the Lakers.

Two Cavaliers Traded Player Exceptions Expire

February 21st, 2017 at 7:18am CST by Luke Adams

Two traded player exceptions that the Cavaliers could have used to acquire a player without sending out any salary have expired. The two TPEs were acquired when Cleveland traded Anderson Varejao and Jared Cunningham at last season’s deadline, and expired on February 20, a year after they were created.

The Cavs actually already made use of one of the two trade exceptions, using a portion of the $9.6MM+ Varejao TPE when they acquired Kyle Korver last month. Absorbing Korver’s $5.2MM+ salary into that exception reduced its value to about $4.4MM. Meanwhile, the Cunningham TPE was a modest one to begin with, worth about $947K, and was never likely to be used.

Even without those two trade exceptions, the Cavs have plenty of options if they want to make a deal at this week’s deadline. Cleveland still has four TPEs, including one worth about $4.84MM created by Mike Dunleavy‘s outgoing salary last month, and another worth $2.19MM (Mo Williams‘ salary). There’s also nothing stopping the club from sending out salaries of its own if it wants to acquire a player earning $5MM+.

According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, the Cavs continue to talk to teams about potential trades, and will likely explore their options right up until a deal is made or the deadline passes.

Meanwhile, as Arthur Hill of Hoops Rumors detailed over the weekend, today represents the first day that the Cavs could re-add Varejao to their roster, if they so choose. Teams can’t re-acquire a player within a year of trading him, but that year has now passed and Varejao is currently a free agent. That’s not to say a reunion is likely, but it’s still worth noting.

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Cleveland Cavaliers

Trade Deadline Outlook: Central Division

February 20th, 2017 at 11:08am CST by Luke Adams

In the days leading up to the February 23 trade deadline, Hoops Rumors will be taking a closer look at each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division. We’ll be identifying each team as a buyer, seller, or something in between, and discussing which teams and players are most likely to be involved in deals this month. We’ve already covered the Atlantic, Northwest, Southeast, and Pacific. Today, we’re examining the Central.

Buyers:

The Cavaliers (39-16) started buying last month when they sent a first-round pick to Atlanta in a deal for Kyle Korver. Since then, however, Cleveland’s on-court performance has been up and down, and LeBron James has called for the team to add a “playmaker.” Derrick Williams‘ play has been encouraging so far, but the Cavs could still use a ball-handler and a big man, particularly with J.R. Smith and Kevin Love on the shelf. The club’s luxury tax bill will continue to rise exponentially if team salary goes up though, so GM David Griffin likely won’t be taking on any big contracts.

No other team in the Central division is within 10 games of the Cavs, but the Pacers (29-28) are in playoff position and are interested in adding to their roster. Although there is reportedly some reluctance within the organization to part with the team’s 2017 first-round pick, that selection appears to be available in the right deal as Indiana seeks an established wing or big man. Paul George will have the opportunity to opt out of his contract in 2018, so the Pacers are running out of time to prove to him that their roster is capable of seriously contending — adding an impact player this week could help.

Sellers:

The Bucks (25-30) are currently the ninth place team in the Eastern Conference, just one game behind Detroit for the No. 8 seed. As such, it’s possible they won’t be sellers at all, though in the wake of Jabari Parker‘s devastating ACL injury, that’s the route that makes the most sense for the club. Slipping down the standings to secure a top-10 pick would allow the Bucks to add another promising young player to their core of Parker, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thon Maker, and Malcolm Brogdon. The team’s most obvious trade candidate is Greg Monroe, who has perhaps regained some value with a solid season in Milwaukee — his overall numbers are down due to his decreased role, but his per-minute numbers and shooting percentages are among the best of his career.

Somewhere in between:

The Bulls (28-29) confused fans and observers with a series of unusual offseason moves, and have the potential to do so again at the deadline, depending on what approach they take. Retooling the roster around Jimmy Butler makes sense to me, and that could mean moving a few of their veterans this week for draft picks or younger players. However, it also wouldn’t be a surprise if the team hangs on to guys like Rajon Rondo, Taj Gibson, and Nikola Mirotic and continues to push for a playoff spot instead. It wouldn’t even be a total shock if the club decides to trade Butler for a package of assets, though that seems unlikely at this point.

As for the Pistons (27-30), they’re clinging to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and have had chemistry issues for much of the season. A full-fledged rebuild doesn’t look like a realistic outcome in Detroit, and the team also doesn’t really have the pieces to make a run at a star. A minor move or two is more likely, but if the club gets an offer it likes for Reggie Jackson, he could be on the move. Zach Lowe’s recent piece on the Pistons at ESPN.com didn’t exactly paint the veteran point guard as untouchable.

Team most likely to make a move:

The Cavaliers are a good bet to add another player to their roster at some point, but they could end up delving into the buyout market rather than pulling off another trade. The Bulls and Pistons may also be active, though the direction for those two teams is trickier to discern. The Pacers, who are looking to add talent to their roster in the hopes of making a playoff run and enticing Paul George to stay in Indiana for the long term, have a clearer objective, and I expect them to follow through on it within the next three days. They’re my pick for the Central team most likely to make a deal.

Player(s) most likely to be moved:

There’s no shortage of players in the Central who have been the subject of trade rumors and speculation this season. Several of them are Bulls players, with Rajon Rondo, Taj Gibson, Michael Carter-Williams, Robin Lopez, and Doug McDermott among the potential candidates to be moved. Greg Monroe was once considered one of the most likely players in the NBA to be dealt, and fellow big man Al Jefferson is also believed to be available. If the Cavs do make a deal, Iman Shumpert and Jordan McRae are trade candidates.

Any of those players would be a fine choice in this category, but I’ll roll the dice and name Reggie Jackson as the player most likely to be traded. The Pistons may ultimately decide to hang onto their point guard and potentially revisit a deal down the road in the hopes that his value will rebound. But recent reports and quotes from out of Detroit suggest that the Pistons wouldn’t mind getting out from under Jackson’s long-term deal if they could get a decent offer for him.

Under-the-radar trade candidate(s):

It’s been a rough season for Reggie Bullock, who was sidelined early on by back and hip problems, and then suffered a torn meniscus. Bullock is healthy enough to play now, but isn’t in Detroit’s regular rotation, and he’s headed for restricted free agency this summer. If he isn’t a part of the Pistons’ future plans, it makes sense for the team to see if it can get something for him on the trade market. Bullock still has some promise as a defensive-minded wing, and if there’s a team out there that likes him, it might be a good idea to acquire him now in order to secure matching rights for when he becomes an RFA.

What do you think is in store for the Central teams over the next three days? Which teams are most likely to make a deal? Which players will be on the move?

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Odds Heavily Against Carmelo Anthony Trade

February 20th, 2017 at 9:54am CST by Luke Adams

The odds of the Knicks completing a trade this week involving Carmelo Anthony are very slim, a source tells Marc Berman of The New York Post. Anthony has said he prefers to remain with the Knicks through Thursday’s trade deadline, and that remains the most likely outcome.

Anthony, one of three players in the NBA with a formal no-trade clause in his contract, has been vocal about his preference to stick with New York. There are believed to be a small handful of teams, including the Cavaliers and Clippers, that Anthony might approve — Berman notes that Los Angeles is Carmelo’s preferred destination in a trade, and a weekend report indicated that the Cavs haven’t entirely closed the door on a possible deal. However, according to Berman, the Knicks haven’t discussed any trade scenarios with those teams that are attractive enough to make them ask their star forward to waive his no-trade clause.

Anthony, who participated in All-Star weekend after being named to the Eastern Conference team as a replacement for Kevin Love, was happy that trade rumors involving him appeared to be dying down and weren’t a constant topic of conversation in New Orleans.

“Leave it like that,” Anthony said, according to Berman. “Things I’m dealing with, it’s good not to hear me in the media like that. This weekend was more about focusing on this weekend, having fun and getting away from that for a couple of days. I was in the moment just focusing on being here.”

Assuming Anthony finishes the season with the Knicks, he’ll head into the summer with two years remaining on his contract with the club. The final year is an early termination option, so he’ll have the chance to opt out and become a free agent in 2018.

Cavs Notes: Shumpert, James, Irving, Carmelo Anthony Rumors

February 19th, 2017 at 5:21pm CST by Milo Taibi

The Cavs haven’t completely closed the door on Carmelo Anthony. According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, the Cavs are exploring “the very slight possibility” of acquiring ‘Melo by the Feb. 23 deadline. Vardon also notes the likelihood of Cleveland acquiring Shelvin Mack– a move not aimed at postseason depth, but helping rest LeBron James and Kyrie Irving as the season winds down.

While the Cavs hold “basement-level low” expectations of completing a deal for Anthony, the Knicks could consider offers for lesser players in an attempt to move him by the deadline.

Cavaliers Face Two Important Deadlines Monday

February 19th, 2017 at 1:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

Monday is an important day on the Cavaliers’ calendar for two reasons, notes Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com.

It’s the expiration date for a trade exception the team acquired when it dealt Anderson Varejao to Portland last season. Currently at nearly $4.4MM, the exception started out at more than $9.6MM, but the Cavs used about $5.2MM when they acquired Kyle Korver from the Hawks in January.

Pluto speculates that Jazz point guard Shelvin Mack could be a good pickup with Cleveland searching for a veteran backup to Kyrie Irving. Mack has dropped out of the rotation in Utah, but he is averaging 7.3 points through 46 games and is shooting 36% from 3-point range, which would be an asset in Cleveland’s offense. Mack’s salary is a little more than $2.4MM, and he will be a free agent when the season ends.

Monday also marks the first day that Varejao could potentially return to Cleveland. NBA rules state that players who are traded must wait at least a full calendar year before rejoining their original team.

The Warriors waived Varejao two weeks ago to free up a roster spot to sign Briante Weber. Pluto writes that the 34-year-old big man could be on the Cavaliers’ radar as a fallback choice as they look for a replacement for the injured Chris Andersen. First they will see if any centers are realistic trade options, then they wait to see who gets bought out. Pluto says they prefer Andrew Bogut to Varejao, but it seems likely the Mavericks will keep him.

Northwest Notes: Mudiay, Thibodeau, Stephenson

February 19th, 2017 at 11:55am CST by Arthur Hill

The performance of Nuggets rookie guard Jamal Murray has made Emmanuel Mudiay expendable, writes Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post. Veteran Jameer Nelson has become the starting point guard as Denver pushes for a playoff spot, and Kiszla sees Murray as a better backup to both Nelson and Gary Harris than Mudiay is. That leaves little playing time for last year’s first-round pick, who may now be more valuable to the Nuggets as a trade chip. Kiszla would like to see the Nuggets pursue Chicago’s Jimmy Butler, but admits that Denver doesn’t have the pieces to make that happen. He also mentions Atlanta’s Thabo Sefolosha as a target, but not in a one-for-one deal for Mudiay.

There’s more from the Northwest Division:

Tom Thibodeau’s new dual role as Timberwolves coach and president of basketball operations leaves no time for a vacation during the All-Star break, writes Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune. Zgoda lists seven possible targets for Minnesota before Thursday’s trade deadline: Chicago’s Taj Gibson, Orlando’s Bismack Biyombo, Denver’s Kenneth Faried and Wilson Chandler, Cleveland’s Iman Shumpert, Phoenix’s P.J. Tucker and Philadelphia’s Nerlens Noel.
Lance Stephenson is looking at a two-week recovery from his Grade 2 ankle sprain, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News in Minneapolis. Stephenson’s 10-day contract expired this weekend, and it’s uncertain whether the Timberwolves will be interested in signing him again once he has recovered.
The Jazz may add short-term salary to help them get above the cap floor, but they will be reluctant to take on long-term salary in any deal, writes Ryan McDonald of The Deseret News. Utah’s top priority this summer will be to re-sign Gordon Hayward, who will want a max contract with an annual salary in the $25MM to $30MM range. The Jazz also want to keep free agent point guard George Hill, who will demand about $20MM per season, and Rudy Gobert‘s extension will kick in next season, starting at more than $21.2MM next year. That ties up three players making more than $70MM, which limits Utah’s roster flexibility.

Timberwolves Interested In Iman Shumpert

February 19th, 2017 at 9:19am CST by Arthur Hill

The Timberwolves have “strong interest” in dealing for Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert, tweets Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.

Minnesota has been in the market for veteran wing help all season and tried to acquire Shumpert in October, according to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News in Minneapolis (Twitter link). The Wolves have point guard depth with Ricky Rubio, Tyus Jones and Kris Dunn all on the roster and could help Cleveland with its search for a backup ballhandler.

Shumpert is under contract for two more years and will make $10.3MM next season and $11MM in 2018/19. The 26-year-old has played 51 games for Cleveland this season, starting 15, and is averaging 7.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per night. He has spent two years with the Cavs after being acquired in a 2015 deal with the Knicks.