The Cavaliers have taken part in “repeated discussions” centered on point guard Jameer Nelson, league sources tell Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.net. Nelson was one of three potential Cavs targets mentioned by Mitch Lawrence of Forbes earlier this week, and Amico suggests that the Nuggets guard appears Cleveland’s primary target from that group.
The Cavs have been in the market for a backup point guard all season, though their search may be intensifying with the trade deadline nearing and LeBron James‘ call for playmakers growing louder. After Cleveland suffered its fifth loss in the team’s last seven games, James said that he hopes the organization is “not satisfied” with the current roster.
[RELATED: Five ways Cavs could address backup point guard spot]
Nelson, who turns 35 next month, has been a steady backup in Denver over the last two years, having averaged 8.7 PPG and 4.5 APG with a .446/.374/.706 shooting line in 44 games this season. Of course, the Nuggets remain in the hunt for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, so it’s not clear how willing they’d be to sell off rotation players, particularly someone like Nelson, who is viewed as a mentor for Emmanuel Mudiay.
If the Cavs and Nuggets did get serious about a potential Nelson deal, there are a number of different forms a trade could take. Cleveland has one trade exception worth $4.8MM+, which would be more than enough to absorb Nelson’s $4.5MM+ salary, meaning the Cavs wouldn’t necessarily have to send out any salary in a swap. However, the Nuggets remain well below the salary floor, so the club likely wouldn’t be averse to taking on a contract or two as part of a deal.
Lawrence’s report for Forbes this week also mentioned Deron Williams and Rajon Rondo as players on the Cavaliers’ radar, but Cleveland’s level of interest in those players is unclear. General manager David Griffin has certainly considered many options on both the trade market and free agent market to solidify the team’s point guard position and provide the club with another playmaker. Griffin may ultimately wait until closer to the deadline to make a decision on the best direction for the Cavs.
Westbrook is aiming at winning a title even with the roster he has and as competitive as he is I think he could pull it off. That’s the difference between a competitor like Westbrook compared to Lebron, this baby whines about what he has and does not have. Play with what you got dude, it would make you more of a winner to just shut up and put up and let your game do the talking. He’s still delusional about catching MJ which ended the moment he embarrassed himself the 2011 Finals. Won’t matter if you get 6 rings LeBum, all his rings were not won in the same fashion as Michael’s. Michael stuck around with one team and never ring chased. He made Pippen and elevated everyone’s game on his roster.
Westbrook is great, but he is not winning a title this year. I think everybody is pretty tired of your lame LeBron takes man. Give. it. up.
Also curious, why can’t LeBron or any star player for that matter, ask for a backup PG? I’m not really sure what everyone gets so upset about. It’s not like he isn’t competing anymore?
It’s not that we get mad it’s just he is constantly whining about everything and on top of that gets favoritism from the refs and Adam Silver to add on. Those of us who actually enjoy the game of basketball don’t want to see anyone cheating the game which is what Lebron does, he can’t win fair and square so the refs have to help him out by not calling travels and all his push-offs during games. That bum is declining and does not want to work for a ring the way he should have been doing, he wants it the easy way. He needs to shut up and start playing up that so called “GOAT’ status you lebrontards give him. Michael Jordan NEVER coasted through a season and put on a show every night and 3 peated TWICE.
Literally every player in the NBA travels or pushes off.
You mad because I am speaking straight facts, tell em otherwise. I am not speaking nonsense just the straight up truth. I would not be shocked if Westbrook leads OKC to a title, he has the rim protection and shooters to do it.
Dang man, it must really suck to be that shortsighted to not be able to “enjoy” a thrilling 7 game series just because you think Lebron is cheating lol. Maybe if you didn’t use words like “LeBrontards” people would take your views more serious.
I don’t care if you take them serious or not.
Lebron knows what he must have to win a championship. When you look at the benches of GSW, OKC, and SAS(the three teams that I think will come out of the west) they all have a backup PG. Livingston, Payne, and Mills are all better than Felder so they need help on the second unit for sure.
Westbrook would be lucky to just get the conference championship, let alone win it all. Adams and kanter are not even all stars, they are serviceable bigs, not scrubs but not great, somewhere in between. Oladipo isn’t even the 4th best player on a championship team. Your Westbrook takes are ridiculous
I’m curious as to what Cleveland is offering.
The Cavs have nothing to offer. They need to pick up a guy off the street plain & simple. LeBron is tired, the NBA season is long, it’s like Shaq – just get him to the playoffs fresh.
No Thanks = Nate Rob, Jordan Crawford
Maybe Please = Shane Larkin, JJ Hickson (if they can ship out Birdman’s waste of a contract)
Yes Please = Jarrett Jack, Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole (depending on health for each)