Ranking Last-Minute NBA Trade Deadline Targets for the Cleveland Cavaliers
With the NBA's trade deadline just days away, the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to improve their reserve core.
Per Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, the Cavaliers are keeping all options open and the Carmelo Anthony dream alive.
"The Cavs are trying to use a trade exception that expires Monday and also continue to explore the very slight possibility of acquiring Carmelo Anthony by Thursday's deadline.
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Cleveland will have two exceptions expire if not used by Feb. 20. One is the remaining money from last season's trade of Anderson Varejao ($4.4 million), while the other stems from dealing Jared Cunningham ($947,276) last February. The Cavs own four other exceptions—the largest valued at $4.8 million—that won't dry up until next January, via the Mike Dunleavy-Kyle Korver swap, per BasketballInsiders.com.
These exceptions are arguably the greatest assets the Cavaliers can offer in a potential trade. They can't send off a first-round pick until 2021, and they have just second-round picks to offer in 2019 and 2020.
Some (marginal) young talent such as Kay Felder, Jordan McRae and DeAndre Liggins may be enough to entice some salary-dumping teams to bite. Iman Shumpert, although not on the trade block, isn't necessarily guaranteed to stay in Cleveland, either.
With just a few days left to improve the team via trade, these are the top five realistic pieces (sorry, Carmelo) the Cavaliers should be targeting.
5. Devin Harris, PG, Dallas Mavericks
1 of 5
2016-17 Stats Per Game: 6.1 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 32.4 3P%, 12.0 PER
Age: 33
Contract Info: $4.2 million in 2016-17, $4.4 million in 2017-18 ($1.4 million guaranteed)
One of seemingly 137 point guards on the Dallas Mavericks' roster, Devin Harris could become the most readily available.
Seth Curry and Yogi Ferrell are the backcourt building blocks at this point, while J.J. Barea and Deron Williams (save for a buyout) would require greater compensation.
Almost 34, Harris isn't great, but he's exactly what the Cavaliers need. After working out Mario Chalmers, Lance Stephenson, Kirk Hinrich and Jordan Farmar to no avail, Harris would give the Cavs a warm NBA-conditioned body to run point behind Kyrie Irving until the playoffs start.
A poor shooter, Harris' role in Cleveland's second unit would be to set up the plethora of shooters (Kyle Korver, Channing Frye, Richard Jefferson) he'd be running the floor next to.
The Cavs could use an exception to absorb Harris' salary while sending back Jordan McRae to keep their final roster spot open.
4. Jeff Withey, C, Utah Jazz
2 of 5
2016-17 Stats Per Game: 2.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.7 blocks, 51.9 FG%, 17.9 PER
Age: 26
Contract Info: $1.0 million in 2016-17
Although the need for a backup center isn't as great as Cleveland's desire for a playmaker, it remains the team's second-biggest weakness.
Tristan Thompson is the Cavaliers' defensive anchor and hasn't missed a game since Feb. 10, 2012. Behind him? A collection of three-point shooters who tend to avoid the paint if possible.
Jeff Withey would be a nice insurance plan with backup center Chris Andersen injured and since traded to the Charlotte Hornets to open a roster spot.
The former Kansas star is still young, still very much 7'0" tall and should be available. He hasn't cracked 20 minutes in any game this season and has completely fallen out of Utah's crowded frontcourt rotation.
Withey's been productive when he does play, though. He's putting up 11.1 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per 36 minutes. Opponents are also shooting 60.3 percent within six feet of the basket when guarded by him, a drop of 2.2 percent off their season average.
Cleveland could use its fourth-largest trade exception (created by trading another former Kansas big man, Sasha Kaun) and throw in a future second-round pick for good measure.
3. Shelvin Mack, PG, Utah Jazz
3 of 5
2016-17 Stats Per Game: 7.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 31.6 3P%, 10.1 PER
Age: 26
Contract Info: $2.4 million in 2016-17
Shelvin Mack isn't the biggest name on this list, but he's probably the most likely to become a Cavalier by Thursday at 3 p.m.
Per Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com:
"The Cavs have discussed trading for Utah point guard Shelvin Mack, who makes $2.4 million this season and is averaging 7.3 points and 2.8 assists, among others. They need a backup point guard, not as much for the postseason but certainly for March, as they attempt to get All-Star starters LeBron James and Kyrie Irving some rest.
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The Jazz have their starting floor general with George Hill and a talented prospect in Dante Exum. Set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, it's unlikely Mack would return to Utah after this season anyway.
With a bowling ball-like build, Mack thrives on getting into the lane and knocking down floaters over waiting bigs. The former Butler star thrived in a starting role last year, averaging 12.7 points and 5.3 assists in 28 games for Utah.
Mack would be a younger, more talented option than 33-year-old Devin Harris, and the cost would reflect that as well. A trade exception and future second-rounder should do the trick.
Using their largest exception and a pair of second-rounders to land both Mack and Jeff Withey would be incredible, as well.
2. Ricky Rubio, PG, Minnesota Timberwolves
4 of 5
2016-17 Stats Per Game: 8.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 8.4 assists, 1.8 steals, 15.2 PER
Age: 26
Contract Info: $13.5 million in 2016-17, $14.3 million in 2017-18, $14.9 million in 2018-19
Did someone say playmaker?
Ricky Rubio is one of the NBA's best passers, is entering the prime of his career and would be under team control until the summer of 2019.
The five-year veteran has played his best basketball of the year over his past 20 games, averaging 11.9 points and 10.4 assists. If Cleveland wants a backup point guard to preserve both LeBron James and Kyrie Irving during their title window, Rubio would be a great choice.
Unfortunately, he could also be pricey.
The Timberwolves are interested in Iman Shumpert, reports Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.net. Given Rubio's salary and skill level, Shumpert would almost certainly be part of the deal.
With this deal, Cleveland gets its playmaker for the next three years while Minnesota lands its primary target and opens up the door for rookie Kris Dunn at point guard.
Losing Shumpert would hurt, but a healthy J.R. Smith and Kyle Korver can fill the shooting guard role. Adding Rubio would mean a primary insurance program for Irving and James for the next three years—perhaps the most valuable part of this potential trade.
1. Jameer Nelson, PG, Denver Nuggets
5 of 5
2016-17 Stats Per Game: 9.1 points, 5.0 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 38.4 3P%, 11.2 PER
Age: 35
Contract Info: $4.5 million in 2016-17, $4.7 million in 2017-18
While Ricky Rubio is far younger and more talented than Jameer Nelson, the latter won't cost nearly as much or risk upsetting team chemistry.
The Denver Nuggets' path to the playoffs became far more difficult on Sunday night, as Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported that the New Orleans Pelicans (2.5 games behind Denver for the 8th seed) traded for All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins.
This means one of two things for the Nuggets and Nelson: Either they'll be forced to make their own big splash (Goran Dragic?) or focus on a younger core for the future. Both options would make Nelson more available on the trade market.
Although in his mid-30s, Nelson has helped keep Denver in the playoff picture with his strong play off the bench and as a starter. He also carries a team-friendly salary for this year and next.
The Nuggets and Cavs have already hooked up for a past deal (Timofey Mozgov in 2015) that benefited both sides. Sending Nelson to Cleveland for a trade exception, Jordan McRae and a future second-round pick would be another mutually beneficial swap.
Greg Swartz is the Cleveland Cavaliers Lead Writer for Bleacher Report.
Stats via Basketball-Reference.com and NBA.com unless otherwise noted and are accurate as of Feb. 19th. Salary numbers via Spotrac.com.
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