The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to have their name pop up in trade talks heading into the Thursday deadline. The team is looking for shooting help for the second half of the season, but with Kevin Love reportedly not available and interest being low in Timofey Mozgov, the team could get creative in who they offer up in a move as Anderson Varejao and Iman Shumpert become the center pieces of talks.
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Boston Celtics are interested in acquiring Kevin Love, but they also intend on holding on to their first-round pick from the Brooklyn Nets. That has ended talks. As a result, players like Varejao and Shumpert are getting offered up in deals. Varejao has been with the Cavaliers since 2004. He is on the books for $9.7 million this season while set to earn $9.3 million in 2016-17. That is a lot of money to take on for a player that has been limited this season and has a lengthy injury history. Shumpert carries an $8.9 million charge while Mozgov is owed $4.9 million on an expiring deal.
In an effort to get a trade pulled off by the deadline, Stein reports the Cavaliers have offered Verejao to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Channing Frye. The Cavaliers would like to get someone like Frye who is a solid perimeter shooter to help on the court. However, Stein reports they would have to get a third team involved to help with the salary cap portion of the trade.
Chris Haynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports the Cavaliers are looking at other options on the market. The team looked into acquiring someone like Ben McLemore from the Sacramento Kings. They have shown interest in Trevor Ariza from the Houston Rockets. Kyle Korver from the Atlanta Hawks has also fallen on their radar. Stein reports the team has options if they cannot get a trade together. The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly looking to buyout the contract of Joe Johnson. He could be a solid addition to help Cleveland's shooting issues. Lance Stephenson is also getting mentioned as a buyout victim.
Head coach Tyronn Lue has head much of the trade talk surrounding the Cavaliers. Lue told the media that he is coaching the players on the court right now and is not involved in any of chatter heading into the deadline.
"That's not really my department," Lue said, via ESPN.com. "The guys came in and responded well. That wasn't a problem at all. It's the nature of the business. It's unfortunate, but it happens. I'm not involved."
