Central Notes: Cole, Butler, Parker

The Cavs will likely examine the trade market if they are going to make an upgrade at their back-up point guard slot, Joe Vardon of the Northeast Ohio Media Group writes. Vardon adds that Norris Cole is no longer on the team’s radar since he may not be available to come back to the NBA until February or later, depending on how far his team in the Chinese Basketball Association advances in the playoffs. It has been reported that Cole does indeed have an NBA opt-out clause in his deal, though Cleveland believes he will not truly be available until after his season in China.

Here’s more from the Central Division:

  • If the Cavs trade for a point guard, it likely won’t occur until December 15, the date in which offseason signings are first eligible to be traded, Vardon speculates in the same piece. The scribe names Deron Williams and D.J. Augustin as possible targets.
  • Jimmy Butler is averaging career highs in points, rebounds and steals per game while ranking among the top-10 in player efficiency rating this season and Sam Smith of NBA.com wonders if the 27-year-old could realistically win the MVP award. The Bulls are 8-4 this season with impressive wins over the Jazz and Blazers this past week.
  • Keith P. Smith of RealGM chronicles Jabari Parker‘s first couple seasons in the league and details what the forward has done to reach his potential this season. The Bucks have relied heavily on Parker so far this season, as his 26.5% usage rate indicates.
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