We should expect the Cavs to make a deal prior to Thursday’s trade deadline, according to Terry Pluto of The Plain Dealer. Pluto says that interim GM David Griffin thinks the Cavs are primed to make up the three-game distance between them and the last playoff spot, and wants to convince owner Dan Gilbert that he should be the permanent GM. Here’s more from Pluto’s latest:
- The Cavs are trying to acquire a forward with 3-point shooting range, Pluto reports in the same piece. Shooting and floor spacing has remained a need since former GM Chris Grant struck out on adding free agents Kyle Korver and Mike Dunleavy this past offseason.
- The team believes second-year guard Dion Waiters is in the beginning stages of understanding the NBA game, leading Pluto to doubt he would be traded outside of a “monster deal.”
- Pluto says the Cavs are also in pursuit of another big, but thinks an Omer Asik deal is a “long shot,” and wouldn’t include Anderson Varejao.
- In an effort to build what was lacking in team chemistry earlier this season, Waiters and Kyrie Irving have been paired in constructive activities like an extra morning shootaround with an assistant coach, says Pluto.