The Cleveland Cavaliers need salary cap space. The team still has a lot of contract work to get done before the season begins and they are lacking the money to complete deals. With big names still on the market, the Cavaliers are trying to get trade deals done in order to free up space for Tristan Thompson, JR Smith and Matthew Dellavedova. Is a Brendan Haywood deal just around the corner?
According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com, the Cavaliers have dealt Rakeem Christmas to the Indiana Pacers which has freed up cap space and allowed for roster flexibility. More importantly, the trade gave the Cavaliers a second-round pick in 2019 which can be moved in a deal for Haywood. The Cavaliers are trying to aggressively move Haywood who has a non-guaranteed contract to his name. However, that is proving to be a lot easier said than done.
Windhorst lists a few options for trade deals if the Cavaliers can lower their expectations of what they receive in return. The Cavaliers have tried to shop Haywood to the Clippers for Jamal Crawford. They have been linked to the Miami Heat to acquire someone like Mario Chalmers or Chris Andersen. However, so far there has not been any progress on these talks. The Philadephia 76ers and Portland Trail BLazers have also been listed as options.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting the Cavaliers are getting nervous that a deal will not come. The trade of Christmas means the Cavaliers have created a larger trade exception which could be used on Haywood. At this point that might be there best move to get rid of Haywood and free up enough space to sign other players.
If the Cavaliers can dump Haywood, the chances Thompson gets re-signed quickly is great. The restricted free agent still remains without a contract as he aims to get something close to a max deal. That might be impossible given the extensive luxury tax penalties the team is facing. Dellavedova is seeking a multi-year deal worth at least $4 million per season. Smith wants something more than the player option he gave up. All of these deals hinge on getting Haywood moved and the Cavaliers are running out of time to make that deal happen.
