Cavaliers wings De’Andre Hunter and Dean Wade have generated some interest on the trade market, and opposing teams continue to check in with Cleveland to see whether the club would be open to breaking up its “core four” of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
However, according to Fedor, the Cavs’ front office has consistently conveyed that it’s not interest in a significant shake-up and that it believes a healthy version of the current roster is capable of contending in the Eastern Conference.
As a result, Fedor believes any major roster changes are more likely to happen in the offseason, though he can envision Cleveland making a smaller deadline deal, perhaps involving Lonzo Ball. The veteran point guard hasn’t been the impact reserve the Cavs hoped he would be, and his contract – which includes a $10MM team option for 2026/27 – could appeal to a team seeking more cap flexibility this offseason.
One possible target for the Cavs is Naji Marshall, according to Fedor, who says Cleveland is among the teams to express interest in the Mavericks forward. While a deal centered around Ball and Marshall may intrigue the Cavs, Dallas is reportedly seeking at least a first-round pick for the veteran wing, and it’s unclear if Cleveland wants to give up its lone movable first-rounder (either 2031 or 2032) at this time, given the club’s up-and-down performance this season.
We have more from around the Central:
- Describing Dean Wade as “unheralded and overlooked” in a separate story for Cleveland.com (subscription required), Fedor says the veteran forward is one of the Cavaliers‘ best defenders and is a critical connector in some of their most effective lineups. “He’s the ultimate glue guy,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “That’s the cliche everyone uses but it’s true.” Wade is extension-eligible through June 30 and will reach unrestricted free agency if he doesn’t sign a new deal by then.
- Bulls center Nikola Vucevic recognizes that it could be an active trade deadline in Chicago, given that more than half the roster is on expiring contracts. Still, as Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times relays, Vucevic referred to his teammates as a “great group” and said he’d welcome the opportunity to finish the season with them. “There are a lot of guys that have a chip on their shoulders and want to prove people wrong because we’ve been doubted,” the big man said. “I would like to see what we can do and where we can go this year, but the front office has to make decisions and we all understand that.”
- A big offseason is on tap for Pacers forward Jarace Walker, who will be extension-eligible beginning in July. With that context in mind, it bodes well for the 22-year-old that he’s playing some of the best basketball of his NBA career this January, including setting a new personal high with 26 points in Oklahoma City against the league’s best defense last Friday. “This is an enormous moment for him in his young career,” head coach Rick Carlisle said after the game, per Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star (subscription required). “He just showed all the things that he can do out there. From the shooting to the driving to the defense to the rebounding to passing. It was great to see that.”
Miles Bridges & Treshaun Mann to Detroit
Caris LeVert, Jaden Ivey & Paul Reed to Charlotte…
Miles goes home to Michigan & finally plays for a contender. His toughness/athleticism/versatility would fit rly well with JB, Cade & co. Tre Mann & Sasser could give them what Mike James & Arroyo gave the Pistons off the bench in 04.
Charlotte gets a dynamic young guard in Ivey while making way for Tidjuane & their other youngsters.
Watching the Lakers/Bulls last night and Lakers made sure that Vu was isolated on EVERY pick and roll. What makes it worse was that Lakers were switching EVERYTHING on defense, and they had either Gabe Vincent or Rui on him and they didn’t give him the rock in the post. Unacceptable. I’m so annoyed that Buzelis was attempting only 3’s yesterday. He needs to get back to attacking the basket and use his athleticism and agility. Giddey needs to get off the minutes restriction as well, but they are being cautious with him. Coby had another solid game but nobody on that team could guard Luka last night. He had them dancing all night long.
Bottom line: They really missed the 2nd unit leadership and high IQ with Tre Jones (they had so many turnovers in the 2nd quarter, and forgot how to run their sets). It was a winnable game, especially when they cut it down to 1 point with 5 minutes left in the 3rd. Defensively they need to get better against premier superstars if this team is really going to evolve into a solid defensive unit. I get Vu has his defensive issues, but there’s some athleticism on that team, and they just aren’t maximizing it on the defensive end. FWIW Jalen Smith has been awesome this year, if they decide to trade him, I would hope they get a low 1st for him. He’s been shooting, defending, rebounding at a much higher clip than last year, and he’s really been showing out.
Tre Jones, Patrick Williams, Zach Collins, Por’s 2026 1st (lotto protected) & Chi’s 2028 1st (top5 protected) to Charlotte
LaMelo Ball & Mason Plumlee to Chicago…
Hornets turn the page from Melo/BMiller/Miles to Kon/BMiller/Ivey with a few extra 1st rd picks to play with. They also bring home a couple of quality role players in Tre & Pat.
Melo gets a fresh start in Chicago with a team that sorely needs an infusion of top tier talent. Melo is an all-star level guard, specifically offensively & he’s still pretty young. This is a small price to pay for that type of player.
Time for your meds and bedtime.
Hey. I thought Lonzo was gonna be the final piece like Caruso was for OKC?