The Cavaliers’ dwindling depth wasn’t a problem on Christmas Day against the Warriors, but with Chris Andersen out for the season, J.R. Smith sidelined for three months, and retired guard Mo Williams taking up a roster, spot, the Cavs will keep an eye out for opportunities to fortify their roster before this year’s trade deadline.
According to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, Cleveland is willing to use its $9.6MM+ trade exception to take on additional salary, as long as it’s in a deal for “the right player,” one could help the team win another championship. The TPE, one of four held by the Cavs, is the only substantial one — the others range in value from about $845K to $1.333MM.
Trade exceptions, which expire one year after they’re created, allow a team to acquire a player without having to match salaries in a deal. So Cleveland has until February 18 – one year after the $9.639MM exception was created – to use it on a player, or multiple players, earning up to that amount.
As Zillgitt writes, a backup point guard, a perimeter player who can generate offense, and a perimeter defender are among the items on the Cavs’ potential shopping list. If a player meets more than one of those criteria, he’d certainly draw interest from Cleveland. However, if the team has to pick just one, it would likely be a perimeter defender, according to Zillgitt, who points out that a point guard and offensive perimeter player won’t be as crucial by the time the postseason arrives.
Although it’s no surprise that the Cavaliers are open to upgrading their roster, the club will be very wary about the cost of any deal. Currently, the team is so far over the cap that any additional salary added to its books for 2016/17 will result in a tax charge of at least $3.25 per dollar. So even if the Cavs were to acquire a player with a modest salary, such an addition would increase their tax bill exponentially.
I wonder if the get another big man to back up Thompson. Or if the try to get a back up point for Kyrie. Or do they try to get a 2/3 player because JR is hurt
A trade I would like the Cavs to pursue would be for Ricky Rubio. He’s a phenomenal passer and he’s a team first player that would fit well into the current team. Kyrie’s listed as a PG, but he’s really a shoot first pass second sort of player. You get Rubio you can have him lead the second unit. Or you could experiment and have a lineup like this:
PG Rubio
SG Irving
SF James
PF Love
C Thompson
The Cavs proved it yesterday they can beat the Warriors even with Durant, and the chemistry between the “Big 3” get’s better every day, but also adding Rubio is even better for this dynasty in the making.
Except Rubio can’t shoot and is a playmaker. Kyrie needs the ball in his hands, so does LeBron. As a starter that would probably hurt them overall. Off the bench is a good option but Rubio would probably not be a fan of that idea.
I agree with a lot of the things you just but one thing Rubio IS too small and can’t shoot. I would prefer a much bigger pg that can defend mutriple positions and shoot from away the basket.
piston game shows this is a bad team with average players with low IQ when James is not playing. They should get better players and remove poor players or they will not even be ECF team or Finals teams. Warriors have plenty of good players who can truly shoot. You do not have true shooters, or shooters only when they become lucky. Why are other teams have young shooters and we do not have one. I am sad, poor recruiting, all depending on Lebron. He cannot carry a whole team against Warriors. Prepare for a humiliation. Unless God works miracles again. Thanks.
Rubio is a good 6’4″. Portland do just fine with Dame and CJ in their backcourt. Thing is, Rubio needs the ball in his hands or he’s just about useless on O. Can break a team down, get to the bucket, but isn’t going to be effective standing in the corner with James and Irving handling the ball for the majority of the game. Also, who’ve they got to trade? Not a likely deal.
Rubio cannot shoot and is constantly missing games. He’s not worth the contract he is on.
Tyreke Evans