Cavalier Christmas Shopping

It’s that time of year again. 29 shopping days till Christmas? No. I’m talking 19 days until the first NBA trade deadline. What trade deadline is that you ask? It’s the first day that players signed in the summer of 2017 can be traded to other teams. The Cavaliers certainly have lots of options, and with some teams not doing nearly as well as they’d hoped to be doing, moving a player for an asset, even a player they signed last summer, has to be tempting. With that in mind, we take a look at what might be on Koby Altman’s wish list as he dreams about Christmas morning.

Wish List

What might be on the Cavalier wish list, and what might Papa Dan be willing to pay to fulfill that wish list? Well, the Cavaliers starting point guards this year including Derrick Rose who has recently considered retirement, Iman Shumpert who has his own share of knee (and turnover) problems, and Jose Calderon who has seen many many… many Christmases in his lifetime. Grabbing point guard has to be high on the wish list. I know. I know. Isaiah Thomas is coming back. Some say by mid-December. But even with Thomas coming back, the depth and age at the guard spot has to be a concern. A combo guard that can play some defense and play the one or the two has to be on everyone’s list to Santa.

Another huge need? A huge guy. The Cavs currently don’t have the bulk to bang consistently with the behemoths of the NBA. Kevin Love starting at center can give Cleveland a huge offensive advantage, but he doesn’t relish being in that spot against the Dwight Howard’s of the world for an entire season. A big body who can block some shots, play some individual defense, and finish on the pick-and-roll, and add a little nasty would be a welcome sight under the tree.

Young athletic talent that can play now is also always welcome, and also hard to find. But there are a few guys in unfortunate situations around the NBA right now, who could desperately use a change of scenery. Cavs could use talent all over the roster, and the ability to find guys with some upside would make Santa Gilbert very happy.

Checkbook

What does the Cleveland front office have to pay for this little Christmas shopping spree? Well, the Christmas Fund isn’t as empty as it was last year. Young players Cedi Osman and Ante Zizic could register as players other teams might want to take in on Christmas. I’d grade Cedi as being about on par with a late first rounder in terms of value, and Ante as a second rounder right now. In addition, Cleveland has several expiring contracts. While Jeff Green and Dwyane Wade seem very unlikely to be moved, Channing Frye’s $7.4 million dollar expiring deal could help match some salary. Derrick Rose might help a team cut cap space if he’d be amenable to a trade-and-retire if he decides to go that route. The other big salary matchers include Iman Shumpert (two years $21.3 million remaining), Tristan Thompson (three years $52.4 million remaining), Jae Crowder (three years $21.9 million remaining – one of the better bargains in the nba), and Isaiah Thomas in the last year of his deal ($6.3 million).

If none of these seem like incredible assets, it’s because they aren’t. Cleveland also has their own first round pick this year, Brooklyn’s first round pick (currently fifth worst in the Association – though they did win Sunday night), a couple second round picks in the future (the maze of protections and conditions is too impossible to explain), and a 2021 first.

Remember, Cleveland must draft in the first round this year, so if they trade the Brooklyn pick, they must keep their own, and vice versa, unless another 2018 first rounder comes their way. The Cavs also have this motley collection of trade exceptions from the trades of Christmas past. What remains to be seen is if the Cavs’ have an open checkbook for adding salary. So far the answer has been “no.”

The big challenge for the Cavalier front office is that they don’t know if they’re building for the future, or for now. The challenge must be to do both: get guys in who can help the Cavs now and in the long term. Clearing out some bad contracts on the way wouldn’t hurt either (I’m looking at you, Iman Shumpert). If the Cavs do decide to blow it up next summer, players who can play now and be flipped for assets then. The other big goal is to hang on to the Brooklyn pick, unless there’s an absolute blockbuster out there.

 The Christmas Catalogs

If you’re like me or anyone who grew up in the days before the interwebs, you spent your post-thanksgiving Sundays wish listing your way through the different stores’ toy catalogs, and praying that you don’t get any socks. Here’s some trades I picked out of some of the catalogs out there. Here’s hoping one of them is as good as the Ewok Village I got in ’85, or the gift that gave for years and years: Space Legos.

(AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)

Atlanta: The Hawks probably aren’t moving Bazemore or Schröder, but as a team that needs to tank, Atlanta has plenty of interesting players who could help the Cavs: Dewayne Dedmon… Marco Bellinelli. I’d put Irsan Ilyasova on the list, but he’s playing like fermenting garbage this season (35 TS% through nine games).  The Cavs could probably have any player they wanted if they took on Miles Plumlee who has arguably the worst contract in the NBA ($12.5 million a year through 2020 – Rich Cho and Michael Jordan strike again). The most logical deal for the Hawks? Moving Dedmon to clear playing time for rookie dunk machine, John Collins. The Cavs could use Dedmon who’s on a fantastic contract ($6 million this year, player option next year) and who is averaging (11.1, 7.8 boards, and .9 blocks in 24 a night to go with nutzo shooting splits of (60%/48%/72%).

Dedmon is playing too well to tank, but that kind of production doesn’t come cheap, even if he is probably walking next year. Atlanta did a great job of acquiring guys teams will probably want to trade for at the deadline on affordable deals. Cedi Osman or the Cavs’ first rounder to along with Channing Frye would probably do it for Dedmon. My ideal?  Shumpert, Rose, and an asset to grab Belinelli and Dedmon. I don’t know if the CtB staff could deal with having a Dwyane and a Dewayne, though.

Chicago: Skipping Boston, Brooklyn, and Charlotte for obvious reasons, Chicago has no one I’d really want, save possibly Robin Lopez. The Geico Caveman, isn’t a guy who can switch pick and rolls well, but he does bring size, ability to finish, and toughness. He’s making $13.8 million this year, and Shumpert and Rose would really help the Bulls tank, and let Derrick retire as a Bull… Win/Win.

Dallas: Big gamble? Taking on Wes Matthews who has underperformed his contract after Dallas signed him coming off an achilles injury. Matthews still plays big minutes (35 a night), but is shooting just 37% from the floor, and hasn’t shot 40% from the floor for the last three years. He takes too many mid-range jumpers, and is finishing at just 43% at the rim this year. But… He is still an excellent three point shooter, shooting 39% this year and 38% for his career, while averaging almost two-and-a-half makes per game. The other scary thing? His contract. He makes $17.8 million this year and has a player option for $18.3 million next year (which at 32, he’d probably take). Matthews defensive reputation doesn’t match his production either, as he’s a -1.8 DRPM so far this year, and playing at a defensive rating of 109. He’s also averaging a career low 11.8 points.

Why would the Cavs even consider Matthews? To move Tristan Thompson and to get Nerlens Noel, that’s why. Thompson’s production was way down before his injury this year, and there have been lots of rumblings that he’s “distracted” this season. The Mavs desperately need rebounding, something Thompson could give them. Nerlens Noel’s restricted free agency last summer poisoned the well for all involved as Noel reportedly turned down a four year $70 million dollar offer thinking he was a “max” player. He’s now bitter (and supposedly lazy and out-of-shape) and can’t get off the bench. A swap might be fantastic for both teams. Nerlens would have to agree to this trade, because as a “bird rights” player on a one year contract, the team can only trade him if he agrees to waive those rights. This means the Cavs couldn’t re-sign him next summer to anything more than a slight raise over his current $4.2 million dollars. But make no mistake. He’s not going back to the Mavs.

Noel is in a bizarre situation. Any team in contention is going to be near the salary cap and will not be able to re-sign Nerlens if he plays well for them. As much fun as it is for us all to see Rich Paul absolutely hose himself and his client this last summer by being too greedy, it would not be a bad gesture of goodwill for the Cavs to trade for Noel and feature him in the quest for a big payday, knowing NBA rules preclude the Cavs being the ones to give him that payday. And make no mistake, when motivated and at his best, Noel is a competent defensive player (2.58 DRPM last year), who can finish very well in the pick and roll (70% at the rim last year), play either big spot and switch defensively. At his best, he is a much better finishing, much better shot-blocking, much better free-throwing version of Tristan Thompson.

Swapping Rich Paul clients would be an interesting move for Cleveland, but one that would make them better at the end of this season. Thompson and Rose for Matthews and Noel would work, as Noel could slide into the Mike Dunleavy trade exception. Or the Cavs could get even freakier and do a Thompson, Shumpert, Rose for Noel, Matthews, Devin Harris deal. Cavs would probably have to throw in a first rounder. Merry Christmas.

L.A. Clippers: With the recent announcement that Patrick Beverly is missing the rest of the season with microfracture surgery on his right knee, and the Clippers in free fall in the Western Conference standings, rumors have surfaced of a Thompson for DeAndre Jordan swap. Joe Vardon covered this for Cleveland.com, saying the Cavs would certainly “consider it.” Commenter Jason summed it up best why the Clips probably wouldn’t consider it any time soon.

1) Cavs would need to add salary
2) Jordan could walk after this year
3) Including the Nets pick is crazy
4) 3 of the top 5 prospects are PF
5) Possibly 4 of 6

Indeed, Jason. Indeed. If this were to happen, it’d probably be closer to the trade deadline with the Clippers out of contention. In that case, look for Lou Williams and Wesley Johnson, who are also on the last years of their deals, to be targeted as well.

Memphis: You can rule out the Lakers from doing anything to help Cleveland win a championship, but Memphis is always a candidate to blow it up. However, getting Marc Gasol would require the Brooklyn pick, would make Kevin Love a fifth wheel (or a part of the trade), and would make Cleveland even more of a half court team. It’s an interesting idea that probably won’t happen because of the bottom four reasons Jason posted above. Again, this is a deal that would happen closer to February, but I don’t see it.

USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota: Gorgui Dieng is a really solid center who can bang. He’s seen his minutes cut drastically with the emergence of KAT, Taj Gibson, and Nemanja Bjelica. One of the places Minnesota could use some depth? At the wing spot. I hear Minnesota is really nice this time of year, Iman, Derrick, and Jose.

New York: Speaking of underrated centers who EvilGenius hates: Kyle O’Quinn is in a logjam at center in New York, and would fit very nicely into a trade exception. As a team that could actually make the playoffs (they’re currently ninth in the standings), the Knicks might not want to move him, and if I’m the Cavs I’m not sure what I’d give up to get him. His 18 PER, size, and toughness could definitely help against the bigger centers of the league. Not sure what to give up here though.

Yes, this is a very old picture of O’Quinn and Tyson Chandler by Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Phoenix: I’m skipping New Orleans and Orlando, but Phoenix has plenty they’d love to move. Tyson Chandler? Probably very gettable, but it would probably take more assets than the Cavs are willing to part with. Zizic and Shumpert? I’d do that. Not sure Phoenix would. They already have enough centers. I’d love Jared Dudley, but Jae Crowder is pretty much the same guy.

Portland: It’s a shame, because with the Portland struggles in the past couple years, guys like Shabazz Napier and Noah Vonleh could’ve been had in Christmasses past, and now they’re lighting it up. At 12-8 and with one of the deeper rosters in the NBA, I see the Blazers as buyers, not sellers, this Christmas, as they look to add a superstar. They’d be a definite destination for Kevin Love if LeBrocalypse 2 happens this summer.

Sacramento: I’m sure that an 11.8 PER and a bottom four record is not what Sacramento had in mind for George Hill’s $40 million dollar deal. Hill is kind of wasted on that team, but he’d be perfect on the Cavs. At six-foot-three, Hill can play either guard spot, is still a solid defender even at 31, and is actually used to being the third option – rare for a guard. Plus, Sacramento probably wants to give more minutes to point-guard-of-the-future De’Aaron Fox. Hill is currently 77th at point guard at RPM, but most of this is due to the Frankenstein starting lineup the Kings play which features a 72-year-old Zach Randolph starting at power forward, which contributes to a -1.8 ORPM for Hill. George is also playing the worst D of his career with a 112 rating, but come on. It’s the Kings.

Hill is still shooting 45% from three, and his ability to play either guard spot competently is all I need to know about. Yes, he makes a lot of money. $20 million this year, $19 next year, but his salary the year after that is only guaranteed for $1 million. The other problem is getting the salaries to match. It would either take Thompson and change (which neither team probably wants to do), or Shumpert, Frye, and two of , Rose, Calderon, and Zizic to make it work. It probably won’t happen, but man I wish there was a way the Cavs could talk Sacramento into parting with Hill. Vlade Divac and Co. probably have too much pride to walk it back after shelling out $40 million this year for Hill, Vince Carter, and Z-Bo. VC for Shump?

If that doesn’t work, Kosta Koufos is a local who’d make a nice banger.

(AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Utah: Ricky Rubio has been kind of a disaster for the Jazz, shooting 39% from the field and 29% from three. I’m really surprised that the long term projections for Lonzo Ball don’t point directly to Rubio. Still, Ricky’s been coming around of late: 47%/50%/83% splits in the last four games. I like Rubio, and he could pair with LeBron and Love really well. He’d always get them the ball, and he fed Kevin during his best years in Minnesota. Ricky’s also one of the best on-ball defenders in the league and an intelligent game manager. A move that makes sense for both teams is Rubio for Isaiah Thomas. The Jazz are the only team that probably has the defensive chops to back up Thomas, and they could use his scoring more than any team out there. If LeBron stays, the Cavs probably aren’t paying Thomas. If LeBron leaves, Thomas probably isn’t signing with the Cavs.

As much as I like Isaiah’s attitude and fight, I still don’t think he moves the needle one notch for the Cavs in the playoffs, and especially in the finals. Rubio could, defensively for the Cavs, and they have enough offense to overcome his lack of shooting (which is streaky at best). From a salary standpoint, Isaiah and Iman or Isaiah and Frye would get you close.

Conclusions: Finding a way to get Dewayne Dedmon would be very nice. Channing Frye and Cedi might do it. He’d fit in seamlessly and his newfound three point shot would be huge for Cleveland. He isn’t sticking around Atlanta, in all probability, so finding a deal there would be great for both squads. Finding a way to add George Hill would be another win. Tristan and Iman and the Cavs first for Koufos and Hill? Now if I can just find that order form. That trade will dance with visions of sugar plums in my head, friends.

Update: Insanely, I forgot to include Matthew Dellavedova as a trade target. Delly hasn’t played in five games due to a knee issue, but much of that benching is probably due to the arrival of Eric Bledsoe. Delly is shooting 38% from three and 38% from the field, and doesn’t have the same defensive quickness. He also is lost in Milwaukee’s ISO heavy sets. He’d be 10x better than Shump though. I miss Delly, but wonder how well he’d re-integrate. I also wonder how well he and Korver would get along.