Cavaliers Trade Rumors: Top Reports Surrounding Cleveland Before 2016 Deadline

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers look great ahead of the February 18 NBA trade deadline, though first place in the Eastern Conference won't stop the front office from picking up the phone about potential deals.

Why not? The Cavaliers could use some shooting. They have tradable assets such as Timofey Mozgov, and Kevin Love's name always seems to come up this time of year, too.

As an organization as successful as the Cavaliers probably knows, the worst thing Cleveland could do is stand pat at the deadline while others attempt to improve. The Toronto Raptors are only a few games back in the conference, and the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks have the pieces to make a major splash and get better.

While doubtful the Cavaliers make a major move, attempting to improve seems likely. Here's the latest around the team ahead of the deadline.

Cavaliers Interested in Ben McLemore?

With coaching changes out of the way and plenty of upstart teams on their heels, it only makes sense the Cavaliers look for bargains on the market.

The front office might find one with the Sacramento Kings and sharpshooter Ben McLemore. The Kings haven't used him much this year, but he has a key skill the Cavaliers could use off the bench—shooting.

By the sounds of it, the Cavaliers are one of a few contenders interested in bringing the Kansas product on board, according to Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com: "The Cavaliers, among with a handful of other Eastern Conference teams, have strong interest in trading for Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore, league sources told cleveland.com."

This one will come down to asking price. McLemore is an obvious fit who, at 23 years old, could act as a great contributor off the bench. Though he averages only 7.7 points per game, McLemore shoots 45 percent overall and a strong 37.2 percent from deep. Only three players on Cleveland's roster convert on a better percentage from deep.

The problem for the Cavaliers would be the wealth of interested parties. Many teams have more movable assets, with the front office not having much in the way of value to ship away for a promising young guy.

Even if the Cavaliers cannot land McLemore, it gives the globe a clear idea of where the front office wants to improve.

The Hunt for Bench Improvement

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Depth is one of the most important aspects of any potential playoff run, so it's no shock the Cavaliers want to improve there at the deadline if possible.

Again, though, the Cavaliers don't have much to offer potential trade partners.

According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein and Brian Windhorst, the front office has slapped Iman Shumpert and the aforementioned Mozgov on the block: "Sources say that the Cavs, though, have been more and more active in recent days in pursuing upgrades to their bench, with center Timofey Mozgov and swingman Iman Shumpert—both in the midst of down seasons after their midseason arrivals in 2014-15—said to be available."

It's an interesting duo for Cleveland to put on the table. Shumpert averages only 6.2 points per game, though if a team comes calling about the 25-year-old guard, it will be for his defense.

Mozgov gets an "interesting" tag because he's managing just 17.5 minutes per game on average with 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds. Unlike Shumpert's three more years under contract, Mozgov is at least attractive to potential buyers because he sports an expiring contract.

As the report goes on to mention, the Cavaliers would like to somehow move these guys for McLemore or someone such as Kyle Korver of the Atlanta Hawks.

An expiring contract is a valuable asset to have, so it wouldn't be a shock to see the Cavaliers get a deal done. It's interesting to note, though, that the front office seems like it would be content to give up strong defense for the sake of shooting.

If the Cavaliers get a better shooter and surrender strong defense, it'll be interesting to see how it affects the bench.

Love-Celtics Chatter

The Boston Celtics seem to want a piece of Love.

Boston general manager Danny Ainge isn't a stranger to major deals and has some of the most noteworthy draft picks and young assets to move if he decides to make a splash. 

According to Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald, the Celtics have been on the phone with a bevy of teams, including the Cavaliers thanks to the idea that Love might be available: "The Celtics have indeed had occasional talks with Cleveland about Love, haven’t discussed the subject of Dwight Howard in Houston, and remain very interested in finding a deal for the right price. But the price has been key. All of the items on the market are currently prohibitive."

Of course the Celtics have an interest in Love. Not only is Love locked into a contract, but the Celtics currently sit in third in the Eastern Conference, with Amir Johnson and Jared Sullinger starting under the basket. Love would be an obvious huge boon. 

Not that the Cavaliers have ever confirmed they would move Love. He's been an odd fit since arriving and averages just 15.7 points and 10.3 rebounds, but the team wouldn't just cough him up.

According to the report from Stein and Windhorst above, the Cavaliers want a star back in a potential deal:

"

But league sources say that the Cavs have made it clear to interested teams -- starting, of course, with the Love-hungry Boston Celtics -- that they'd covet a star in return if or when they do reach the point of letting Love go ... and not a package of draft picks and role players like the Celtics are offering.

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Boston simply isn't that team. Ainge clutches a pick that might wind up as a top-five selection, but that doesn't help the win-now Cavaliers stay where they are and contend for a title.

Next summer? Maybe.

The Cavaliers were willing to shake up the coaching staff. A retooling of the roster, though, doesn't seem like it would be as drastic. Things change, but role players, not a superstar such as Love, are what most should expect from the Cavaliers at the deadline. 

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.