The Cleveland Cavaliers are in dire need of a big man who is a rim protector and could put points on the board if needed. As of now, the Cavaliers only have Tristan Thompson as a true center, with power forward Kevin Love out for six to weeks due to a broken hand. It was widely reported that the Cavaliers want to pursue Los Angeles Clippers big man DeAndre Jordan before the February 8 trade deadline. However, the Cavaliers are taken aback by the Clippers’ high demand for their big man, including the Brooklyn Nets’ unprotected 2018 first-round pick.
The Cavaliers earlier said they won’t use the Nets pick for a short-term lease like Jordan, who holds a player option for the 2018-19 season worth $24.1 million. It was reported that the Cavaliers would be willing to ship their own first-round pick to the Clippers for Jordan, and not the Nets’ pick. While it looks like Jordan will not be a part of the Cavaliers anytime soon, Cleveland should look for other players to beef up their presence in the shaded area.
Howard is having good year with Hornets
According to Sam Penix of Cavsnation.com, the Cavaliers should go after Charlotte Hornets center Dwight Howard, who is having a good year playing with the franchise owned by Michael Jordan. Howard has started all of 50 games this season, averaging 16 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 31 minutes per game.
While he’s far from his old form during his prime with the Orlando Magic, Howard is still getting it down both in offense and defense with his 6-foot-11 frame. Howard, the first overall pick in the 2004 Draft, signed a three-year, $70-million deal with the Atlanta Hawks in 2016, but he was traded to the Hornets one year after.
He is scheduled to earn $23.5 million this season and $23.8 million in 2018-19.
Cavs could trade Thompson to Hornets
The Cavaliers could trade Tristan Thompson and either Ante Zizic and Jose Calderon to the Hornets to match salaries. Thompson has two years remaining on the five-year, $82-million deal that he signed with the Cavaliers in 2015.
Thompson is slated to earn $16.4 million this season, $17.5 million in 2018-19 and $18.5 million in 2019-20. This season, Thompson is struggling, averaging 5.6 points and 5.9 boards, both career-lows, in 20.1 minutes of action per game. In their 120-88 humiliating loss to the Houston Rockets on Saturday, Thompson scored nine points and grabbed four boards as the Cavaliers dropped to 30-21.
