With the NBA trade deadline just one week away, the Cleveland Cavaliers are active on the trade front, reports Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, who has several Cavs-related items in his latest “trade buzz” update.
First, it appears as though the Cavaliers are open to trading Antawn Jamison, with the New Orleans Hornets rumored to be a potential suitor, says Berger. The two-time All-Star is averaging just 17.7 points, but could interest New Orleans, which is looking for more offensive firepower. But acquiring Jamison might be difficult for the Hornets, as the NBA owns the team and might be reluctant to take on the $15 million he’s owed next season, the final year of the $50 million extension he signed in 2008. SB Nation NBA editor Tom Ziller took an in-depth look at the possibility of the NBA’s owners blocking a Jamison trade to the Hornets here.
Second, veteran Cavs swingman Anthony Parker could be on the move, with the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls interested in adding depth to their perimeter playing rotations. He’s scoring 8.9 points per game and, at 39.8 percent, still has an above-average three-point stroke. Injuries to former Cavalier Delonte West and Marquis Daniels have pressed the Celtics into playing journeyman guard Von Wafer, and GM Danny Ainge is reportedly “fielding calls” about potential trades as he looks to address his team’s lack of reserve guards and forwards.
The Bulls, meanwhile, simply don’t have much talent on the perimeter. Keith Bogans, the nominal starter at shooting guard, averages just 17.6 minutes per game. Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver are limited to defense and three-point shooting, respectively, so Chicago is in the market for another complementary, long-range shooter. Parker, as a veteran on an expiring deal, represents a low-risk, medium-reward prospect for both Boston and Chicago. Moreover, he’s more valuable to contending teams than to Cleveland, which needs to open up playing time for youngsters Christian Eyenga and Manny Harris on the wings.
Berger also confirms an earlier report about the Atlanta Hawks’ interest in point guard Ramon Sessions, although he provides no details about what pieces the Hawks might offer in return.
Finally, says Berger, Cleveland is open to using the $14.6 million trade exception generated when it signed and traded LeBron James to the Miami Heat in order to serve as a third-party facilitator; the Cavs could essentially rent the trade exception to other teams looking to dump salary in a trade, and charge a fee—in the form of “draft picks and young players,” according to Berger—for providing the service.