The Cleveland Cavaliers are trying to figure out what the missing piece is for their team as they continue to struggle against some of the top teams. While they remain at the top of the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers have fallen twice to the Golden State Warriors and once to the San Antonio Spurs. As a result, the Cavaliers are getting involved in the trade deadline and Timofey Mozgov is first on the chopping block.
The Cavaliers had been denying the idea that they were looking to trade Mozgov. The team acquired the center at the deadline last year and picked up his team option for the 2015-16 season. However, Mozgov will be looking to get paid as a free agent and considering he is no longer a starter and is struggling off the bench, the Cavaliers will not give him a marquee deal and will instead opt to trade him at the deadline.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Cavaliers are shopping Mozgov as interest grows in the center. The Cavaliers are trying to build a lineup that can excel against smaller teams and will target a win player in a deal with the center. Mozgov is set to earn $4.95 million this year. The issue with trading Mozgov is the lack of size his absence will create. When the Cavaliers go up against players like Hassan Whiteside, Andre Drummond, Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson, they need Mozgov on the court. Tristan Thompson is only so versatile while Anderson Varejao has not done much this year.
Who could the Cavaliers get a in a trade deal moving forward. Markieff Morris is an option as the Phoenix Suns seek a deal. Jared Sullinger or Tyler Zeller are available with the Boston Celtics. Joel Anthony could be another option considering his history with LeBron James. The Cavaliers will look for someone that will not impact their salary cap for the long-term.
Until a trade is made, the Cavaliers must figure out their issues. According to Kevin Love, the team needs to start by improving themselves. The forward made an oddly worded comment that appeared to be calling out James in the process.
"We have a lot of things to get better at," said Love, via ESPN.com. "That's going to take a lot of guys looking themselves in the mirror, and it all starts with our leader (LeBron James) over there and dwindles on down."
James was very open about everyone needing to improve. He along with Love and Kyrie Irving disappeared against the Golden State Warriors. If the team has any shot at winning a title this season, that all must change.