Brendan Haywood is generating trade interest from the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns this offseason and he could be an option to get traded over Anderson Varejao and this comes as Roy Hibbert has been traded to the LA Lakers, who could deal Nick Young while looking to clear cap space with Haywood and his unguaranteed contract.
The Cavaliers have reportedly been shopping Haywood this offseason and they started talks with the Nets about a deal for Joe Johnson. That trade got hung up over contract issues and now Sam Amico of Amico Hoops reports that the Cavaliers have continued to shop trades with Haywood this offseason, with the Lakers, Clippers and Phoenix Suns as potential options. Amico writes that those teams likely are looking to clear cap space with Haywood's contract, as his deal is unguaranteed for $10.5 million.
Haywood's contract will become guaranteed soon and that will make him less attractive to teams once that happens. Amico writes that the Cavaliers are willing to make a deal for less than what they normally would take, as they are looking to clear cap space as well. The team just signed back LeBron James and they have also brought back Iman Shumpert and Kevin Love while adding Mo Williams as a free agent.
Amico writes that the Cavs would like to trade Haywood's contract "to add depth to (the) roster" and it comes after Haywood played in just 22 games last year. The Cavaliers also have incentive to clear cap space with Tristan Thompson's contract still not yet completed. The team looked into trade Haywood for Jamal Crawford, according to Chris Broussard at ESPN, as the Clippers are continuing to make moves after bringing back DeAndre Jordan. The Cavaliers have also shopped Anderson Varejao and his contract, but Amico writes that there are "no takers" for his deal right now.
Check here for more on the Cavaliers shopping Brendan Haywood, the interest from the LA Lakers, Clippers and Phoenix Suns and more on the Cavs moves with LeBron James, Tristan Thompson and JR Smith. Check here for more trade news in the NBA and interest in Haywood.
Amico reports that the Lakers are "particularly intrigued" in the trade, as they would like to clear some more cap space to fill out their roster with depth. The team has already pulled off a trade for Roy Hibbert and signed Brandon Bass, so they do not need a big man. The Lakers have also signed Lou Williams to a contract and that could lead the team to dangle Nick Young in a deal. The team could look at moving Young or Ryan Kelly to help get a deal done, as Williams may make Young redundant in the offense for LA. The Lakers expect to move Young, as they have plenty of depth at guard after the free agency moves and the addition of D'Angelo Russell in the draft.
The Suns went hard after LaMarcus Aldridge and they also could be an option for the cavaliers. The team could consider keeping Haywood if they make the deal, but it's likely that Haywood will get dropped before his contract is guaranteed. The $10.5 million is too much space to hit the salary cap for most teams for a player Haywood's age and the Cavs would love to make a deal. Thompson remains on the market, but he is a restricted free agent and is expected to return to the Cavaliers.
