In need of a veteran presence in the shaded lane, the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking into the possibility of acquiring Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan before the February trade deadline. According to NBA reporter Sam Amico, the Cavaliers are “sniffing around” a potential trade for Jordan. Amico said the Cavaliers are not aggressively pursuing Jordan, but are monitoring the situation. The Clippers could trade the 29-year-old Jordan as they continue to fall deep down the Western Conference standings, The Clippers currently have an 11-18 mark, after losing Blake Griffin to injury recently.
The 29-year-old Jordan is virtually a loaner for a team that will trade for him as he will turn unrestricted free-agent after this season. He has a player option worth $24 million for the 2081-19 season, but he could opt to test the market, where he can get at least $30 million a year deal. In 29 games this season, Jordan averaged 11.0 points, 14.8 rebounds, and 1.2 boards.
Jordan could be a key addition to Cavaliers
If the Cavaliers decide to trade for Jordan, they could get an edge over the Golden State Warriors in terms of presenting the shaded lane with his rebounding and defense. However, the Cavaliers lack the necessary pieces to trade for Jordan. The Clippers could ask for Cleveland’s first-round pick in 2018 for Jordan, but the Cavaliers are adamant about parting with it.
Sean Deveney of Sporting News reported that the Cavaliers want to keep the Brooklyn Nets’ first-round pick, which they acquired from the Boston Celtics in the Kyrie Irving trade, as they plan to use it in case LeBron James leaves the team in 2018. In addition to the Nets’ first-round pick, the Cavaliers also got isaiah thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and a 2020 second-round pick from the Celtics.
Thomas could return next week
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Thomas is getting close to returning from a hip injury that bothered him since last season. McMenamin said Thomas is expected to participate in five-on-five practices and join the Cavaliers’ G-League team, the Canton Charge, in the coming days. Sources told ESPN that Cleveland is mulling whether to let Thomas travel to Canton or ship several of the Charge players to the Cavaliers’ practice facility in Independence and join Thomas in the scrimmage. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Thomas could be playing for the Cavaliers next week.Earlier, the Cavaliers placed Thomas’ return in the first week of January.
