The Cavaliers aren’t expected to make any sort of trade before Thursday’s deadline to make a deal. Why would they?
But they are run by president of basketball operations Koby Altman, so you just never know.
Per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, Altman and the front office continue to have several possible targets — including Brooklyn Nets forwards Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale, as well as Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward John Konchar.
The idea is to add help without breaking up the continuity of a team that has won 14 of 15 since the start of the year. The Cavs (32-16) enter Wednesday on a six-game winning streak.
A lot of teams are after Finney-Smith and O’Neale, who are said to be widely available. They have also been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks and more.
The Cavs may not have the assets (or at least the draft picks) the Nets seek in return. And the Nets may be looking for a player like Caris LeVert or Isaac Okoro. It’s doubtful the Cavs would want to move, either.
Also, multiple reports have suggested the Nets have an interest in Cavs forward Dean Wade. Again, Cleveland may not want to totally give up on him, given how Wade is among the team’s X-factors, particularly defensively. He may not put up huge numbers (far from it), but he fits.
Meanwhile, Konchar could come cheaper, as the Grizzlies are struggling through an injury-riddled season and looking to get set up for next year.
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m. Eastern.
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