After 41 games played this season, the Cleveland Cavaliers are 26-15 and in the third place in the East. Their record is far from impressive and the team has struggled to stay consistent and play a championship-level basketball. While it's true that the Cavaliers have dealt with many injuries, they haven't been playing well even at full health.
NBA's trade deadline is on February 8 this year and it won't be surprising to see the Cavaliers make a big trade to improve their roster and increase their chances of winning it all. The Cavs have a few valuable assets they could use to acquire some great players, and here are three trades that could make before the trade deadline.
Tyreke Evans
After three long years of injuries, Tyreke Evans is back and he's having the best season of his career. The swingman is averaging 19.9 points per game on 46.9 percent shooting, but the Memphis Grizzlies just don't seem like a good team for him. The Grizzlies are currently 13-27 and are tied for the worst record in the West.
Evans is great, so the Cavaliers would have to give up some valuable assets for him. Iman Shumpert and Ante Zizic could leave Cleveland for Evans, along with a couple of draft picks. Considering that the Grizzlies will probably want to rebuild, the Cavaliers might have to give them their first-round pick in the potential trade. Considering that Evans is making only $3.3 million this year, the Grizzlies would have to add another player to match salaries, possibly JaMychal Green.
DeAndre Jordan
DeAndre Jordan has been linked to the Cavaliers this season and it looks that Cleveland desperately needs him. Tristan Thompson is having an awful season and the Cavs need a reliable center who will help them go deep in the playoffs and possibly win it all.
Once again, the Cavaliers would probably ship Iman Shumpert, and they'd add Channing Frye and the first-round pick from the Brooklyn Nets to the trade.
Jordan's contract is big, but it might be worth it considering that the Cavaliers would finally look like a true contender with him.
Paul George
Just like the Cavaliers, the Oklahoma City Thunder had a rough start of the season, but they have bounced back and improved their record. Right now, they are only two games above .500 and nearly five games behind the fourth seed.
If they don't keep winning, we could see them make a big trade, and Paul George could be out.
George wanted to join the Cavaliers last summer, but the Indiana Pacers didn't want to trade him to a conference rival. Now, the small forward is in the West and the Cavaliers could finally acquire him if they give the Thunder a good deal.