Cavs still lacking a quality rim protector…
READ MORE:
Bulls replace Cavaliers as title favourites: Cleveland struggling through season.
Smith and Shumpert traded to Cavaliers: Knicks send duo to Cleveland.
Griffin says David Blatt’s job is safe: Cavaliers coach’s position not under threat.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are still reportedly active in the trade market as they look to cover all bases and bring in a defensive big man to complete the roster.
The Cavs swooped for JR Smith and Iman Shumpert in a three-team trade deal on Monday, with Dion Waiters departing for the Oklahoma City Thunder while several draft picks were also exchanged.
However, while Smith adds depth off the bench and Shumpert brings wing defense, Cleveland are still in need of some big man presence in the frontcourt to protect the rim.
That search has seen them target Denver Nuggets star Timofey Mozgov, and the franchise will likely believe that a shot blocker and some size in the paint is the final piece missing for the jigsaw.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, they remain in pursuit of Mozgov but Denver are understood to be reluctant to deal him.
Although the Russian star is struggling in Denver, he would arguably be a better fit in Cleveland but having now traded Waiters, it is unclear what the Cavaliers will be willing to sacrifice in order to land him.
From Denver’s perspective, it is also unclear as to what they would be interested in accepting, and so the search may be forced to go elsewhere.
Nevertheless, it is clear that the Cavaliers are in “win now” mode, and they are looking to make the moves required this month to put themselves in a position to compete down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs.
With LeBron James and Kyrie Irving out injured, coach David Blatt will merely be hoping to get all his players healthy in the coming weeks in order to put together a strong run down the straight.
COMMENTS