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June 19, 2015Next Up: Indians vs. Tampa Bay Rays
June 19, 2015The NBA Draft is next Thursday, and the Cavaliers own the No. 24 overall pick — for now, at least. The team is reportedly looking to trade that pick along with Brendan Haywood’s large non-guaranteed contract, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, with a playmaking guard the desired return.
From Windy:
Haywood’s $10.5 million contract is not guaranteed for next season if he’s waived by Aug. 2. This could be attractive to a team looking to either offload salary now or use it as part of another deal that could be executed during free agency in July.
The Cavs have tested the market in swapping Haywood either for a player or a future draft pick, sources said. On their wish list is a facilitating guard they can bring in to either back up or play alongside Kyrie Irving.
As WFNY’s Jacob Rosen has written, the Cavs are already facing a dicey salary cap situation that will take them well above the luxury tax threshold, and trading Haywood for a similarly salaried player would only make the financial math trickier.
Any deal involving the first-round pick could not be realized until after the draft, as the Cavs traded their 2016 first-rounder to the Boston Celtics (Boston later traded it to the Phoenix Suns) with Tyler Zeller to clear salary cap room to sign LeBron James. Per the so-called Stepien Rule — named after former Cavs owner Ted Stepien, who traded away seven future first-round picks in less than three years — teams are forbidden from trading first-rounders in consecutive years. Once a pick is used to select a player, the player’s rights can be traded.
Windhorst also reports that 30-year-old Russian center Sasha Kaun could be involved in such a trade. The Cavs traded cash considerations to the Seattle SuperSonics1 for Kaun after Seattle drafted him in the second round in 2008, and the Cavs still hold the former University of Kansas player’s NBA rights. He has played the last seven seasons for CSKA Moscow, but is currently a free agent with eyes on coming to America. Kaun was said to have retired, but he says that he is only finished playing in Russia, and perhaps Europe, but that he is open to an NBA opportunity.2
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Cavs in the Finals thanks in large part to their team-wide playmaking ability. Cleveland GM David Griffin took note, especially with how his team’s offense struggled when operating through anyone other than LeBron James.
“The one thing that we did see in Golden State, and it was something that was very difficult for us to deal with, is they have an incredibly versatile team of multiple facilitating playmakers,” Griffin said. “That’s something we’re going to continue to work upon. The more playmaking facilitators you have that know how to play the game, the better off you are, and I think you saw the value of that in the team that ultimately did win.”
It is thus far unclear which players the Cavaliers are specifically targeting, if any, but it sounds like the team is looking for a guard who can provide offensive creativity to lessen the offensive burden shouldered by the team’s stars, specifically James and Irving.
[ED’S NOTE: This article has been corrected. It previously stated that the Cavs traded their 2016 first-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves; it also stated that the Cavs drafted Sasha Kaun rather than traded for him]
16 Comments
One of the worst kept secrets around! If Haywood’s contract could be moved for anything I’d do it.
Griffin will get us something. I have faith in him.
Salary cap, Shmalary cap. Dan’s got deep pockets.
http://media.giphy.com/media/XGP7mf38Vggik/giphy.gif
I think so as well.
What type of players could we get in return for this package?
I buy it. I know playing with other people’s $ is easy, but you’d have to think Gilbert sees any investment in this roster (including the big ‘ol tax burden) could pay huge dividends next year. I’d look for them to add something, even if its just future picks in a salary dump situation.
Maybe Joe Johnson or a Dwayne Wade?
If only Mo Williams could play the 2…
I’m just going to throw out a list of veterans with $5M+ contracts we could maybe acquire/target (not much going on at work today)-
Deron Williams, Brook Lopez, Thad Young, Jarret Jack, Marvin Williams, Jodie Meeks, Roy Hibbert, David West, George Hill, CJ Miles, DWade, Loul Deng, OJ Mayo, Jose Calderon, Channing Frye, Greivis Vazquez, Patrick Patterson, Nene, Martell Webster, Ray Felton, Devon Harris, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, JJ Hickson, David Lee, Andrew Bogut, Shaun Livingston, JJ Reddick, Jamal Crawford, Jeff Green, Courtney Lee, Tony Allen, Vince Carter, Kevin Martin, Chase Budinger, PJ Tucker, Arron Afflalo, Darren Collison, Boris Diaw, Trevor Booker,
I bet Luol Deng wishes he was still in Cleveland!
Deron Williams is a guy the Nets would probably deal yesterday but he is owed an AWFUL lot of money (another $40million). I like Brook Lopez, who only has the one last year remaining. He could be the 6th/7th guy in the rotation and save his feet.
Afflalo interests me. He’s in his last year, i think. around $7/8million
If Gallinari were healthy, I’d kick the tires.
Wilson Chandler could be what we wanted Marion to be, and he’s affordable.
If Cavs dealt for Wade, wouldn’t that send his Bird rights, too? They could give him 3 years and $45million (not that I’d want to if I were Gilbert, but it could bring some titles).
I totally agree. The Cavs could maybe get one of those guys, bird rights & all, if a team is looking to dump salary. I think Wade’s a possibility – but only if he threatens to opt out & leave, demands a trade and then opts back in prior to being dealt. Bird rights intact. What about a David Lee? GS seems intent on dealing him (I’d assume to save $). One of these role player types could also really shine in limited minutes on this team.
THey offered Wade less than $12million per year. That’s no love for a guy who carried and sacrificed for that franchise. He deserves to get paid by them. I think he is worth what they’re offering, but I think he’s done so much for that franchise that he’s worth more to them. I’d be pissed if i were him, too.
Yeah, the Miami situation is interesting… They’re at $77M now (assuming Wade, Deng & Dragic opt in) and the tax is $81M. I think its safe to say Dragic would want a raise and they’ll have to commit $2m to their draft pick. Plus they’ll have to lay out some big money to Whiteside at some point and Bosh’s contract isn’t going anywhere. I’m not holding my breath, but lets see what happens…
Hmmm… Griffin is looking for a playmaker in the 26-30 age range. Doesn’t leave him with many options on that list. Darren Collison fits the bill, but supposedly the Kings love him. Vasquez used to be a good creator, but kind of stopped doing that in Toronto… maybe because Lou Williams dominated the ball in the second unit? I’d be up for him I think. George Hill would be great, but the Pacers don’t have another PG and they’d be helping a division rival get better.
Riley blocked the Cavs twice from Norris Cole hell would have to freeze over for Wade.
Trading for Lee wouldn’t make sense or address the need specified. I like the idea of Kevin Martin though. That addresses everything we need. He can start at SG, create his own shot or be a spot shooter from the 3pt line. He is long and athletic although he’s just an average defended. In desperate times he can be a ball handler as a PG although not for the long haul.
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