For the time being, it seems like the Cavaliers, like many others, have been quiet in trade talks. Or at least there aren’t many reports coming out of Cleveland on potential deals.
That makes sense. It’s extremely early and Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman appears to be fairly pleased with the roster. And why not? The Cavs are showing they belong near the top of the Eastern Conference when totally healthy. Or even partially healthy.
But it’s the job of Altman and general manager Mike Gansey to continuously monitor and try to improve the team. So while they may not be like Brad Pitt in the classic film Moneyball and constantly working the phones … well, simply put, they’re constantly evaluating.
And the buzz around the NBA is about to heat up, from here until the trade deadline on Feb. 8. That’s because players who signed offseason deals are eligible to be traded on Dec. 15. (Another group becomes eligible on Jan. 15.)
For the Cavs, that means guard/forward Caris LeVert. With that in mind, let’s start here — Cleveland isn’t looking to trade LeVert. This is a team that’s just coming together, so there’s no urgency to move any players or parts.
Of course, we all know that won’t keep the rumor mill from churning. That’s especially the case when, yes, Altman and every team exec are aiming for ways to improve and make their path to true contention a little easier. Theoretically, anyway.
With the likes of fellow wings Max Strus and Isaac Okoro already receiving plenty of minutes, LeVert does seem like he’d be among the Cavs’ most natural trade candidates — given, again, that he becomes eligible to be dealt on Dec. 15.
Here is what Michael Scotto of HoopsHype said on the outlet’s podcast:
“Another team that’s going to have some decisions to make in the near future is the Cleveland Cavaliers. One of the guys on their roster that becomes trade-eligible Dec. 15 is Caris LeVert. If the Cavaliers can make a win-now move to upgrade the roster to a title contender, they’d do it, but it’s uncertain whether that’ll materialize.
“LeVert has a two-year, $32 million contract. That’s a nice tradable salary. He’s a versatile player and a guy who’s pretty well-liked around the league. It’s just always a question of whether he can stay healthy.”
In other words, the Cavs may not be looking to trade LeVert, but they very well could receive some calls. (To Scotto’s point, LeVert is out with a knee injury, though it doesn’t sound too terribly serious.)
So could the Cavs look to trade LeVert this season? Probably not. They signed him to that two-year deal this past summer with the idea of keeping him with the current core. So I doubt the Cavs will make any sort of move, or that they could receive LeVert’s worth to the team in return.
Still, this is the NBA, and there is always a deal to be had. Altman has proven he’s not afraid to make one if it moves the Cavs closer to contention. So if that type of deal exists, then sure, anything is possible.
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