The Cavs have not decided yet if they will keep combo guard Jared Cunningham after this week, Chris Haynes of The Northeast Ohio Media Group and the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports, citing league sources. Unless Cleveland cuts Cunningham by the close of business Thursday, his $981,348 salary for the remainder of the season is guaranteed, as Haynes points out.
Cunningham was a preseason surprise for the Cavs, the 24-year-old’s fifth team in four years. While Cunningham had streaks of consistent playing time this season, he has not seen more than 15 minutes in a single game since December 11th, and that includes four games in which he didn’t even appear. Cunningham, whom coach David Blatt used in a variety of ways, has seen his minutes deteriorate because the Cavs are healthier, Haynes writes. Making the decision more interesting is Cunningham’s salary would cost the team approximately $3.8MM in luxury tax dollars if the Cavs maintain their current roster, Haynes adds.
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- If the Celtics continue to struggle, there will be increased pressure on the front office to consider making a move to alleviate Boston’s frontcourt logjam, Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com details. Jared Sullinger, Amir Johnson, Kelly Olynyk, David Lee and Tyler Zeller are each part of the Celtics’ big man rotation. Boston, as Forsberg points out, also tends to utilize Jae Crowder and Jonas Jerebko at the power forward spots. The large crowd has been a roadblock for rookie Jordan Mickey, who is thriving in the D-League, Forsberg adds.
- Ish Smith, whom the Sixers acquired in a trade with the Pelicans last month, doesn’t seem fazed by playing for nine organizations in his career and having been included in 19 different transactions, Brian Seltzer of Sixers.com writes.
- The Heat recalled Josh Richardson and Jarnell Stokes from the D-League, the team announced on its website.
Roy Hibbert for David Lee and James young?
Celtics get a rim protector while lakers get a prospect not in the Celtics future.
As a Celtics fan, I would not be happy with that trade, mainly because I don’t like Hibbert’s game. I’m not sure the Lakers want another PF either considering they have Randle and Nance Jr. to develop and the veteran Bass on the bench.
Not really fixing the log jam if you are trading a big for another big. Swap out Young for Zeller and maybe a future Second rounder to get get the conversation going.
steve is absolutely right. I don’t know if the celtics need to add anything that would help the current roster. I see them playing a lot better in the second half.
I think they need depth at PG/SG. Someone who can come off the bench to score or step in when Bradley or Smart is hurt (it seems like at least one of them always has something lingering at the very least). Obviously you can’t replace their D but scoring could help get them through those stretches.