Dion Waiters was drafted 4th by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2012 NBA Draft. This was a complete shock because not only did he not start in his one year at Syracuse; he didn’t have a tryout/interview with the Cavalier’s organization. Huh? The hope, basically, was that he could develop into a 2 guard and propel the backcourt alongside Kyrie Irving. Hasn’t happened. Chris Broussard, of ESPN, reported earlier today that the Cavs are in trade talks with the Knicks, Bulls, and 76ers. The Wine and Gold have their eyes set on three players
Luol Deng
He is in the final year of his contract and would basically be a 5 month rental for the Cavs. The problem is that Deng’s contract is for roughly $14 million this year and Waiters’ contract is $3.9 million. The Cavs would have to throw in multiple players like Tyler Zeller, Alonzo Gee, etc.
With Deng in the lineup, the Cavaliers would be propelled back into consideration for the last couple playoff spots in the East. I’m not sure the organization would want to give up young talent for a 5 month rental unless they got the guarantee from Deng that they’d agree to an extension. He plays on both ends of the floor, something that coach Mike Brown is a stiffler about.
Iman Shumpert
Shumpert has been in the rumor mill lately with him going to the Nuggets for Kenneth Faried. Iman to the Cavs wouldn’t really upgrade the team. He’s having a decline since last year and a report came out on Sunday that he had a secret surgery on his knee over the summer. He does play defense which, again, is something Brown loves.
The numbers match up for the trade to go through, but he isn’t an asset that would have free agents think to themselves, “Hey, I’d like to play alongside him.”
Evan Turner
Turner is having by far his best season of his career. You might call it his progression, I’ll call it motivation. The 76ers declined his option for next year which makes him a free agent after the season. Turner never really excelled since being drafted #2 overall by the Sixers. I think a change of scenery would benefit Turner greatly. He is a long defender (is this becoming annoying?) who can stretch the floor and play point forward. Small forward has been a consistent downfall of the Cavs ever since LeBron left.
Turner’s and Waiters’ contracts are lopsided a little so the Cavs might have to throw in Zeller or Gee to make the trade work.
In my eyes, the most likely scenario that would benefit the Cavs is acquiring Deng. He is on the downside of his career and he wants a ring. Sure, he will get paid handsomely this summer, but he is deserving. Deng is the kind of person/player that will do anything for the team in order for them to win. For right now, the team doesn’t have a leader. Luol can provide that. Not to mention, there is someone in South Beach that is a free agent this summer. The Cavaliers MUST do something to make this team more attractive for LeBron.