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NBA Trade Rumors: Trade Priorities For All 30 Teams

By Aaron Ferguson

Jan 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) runs up the court against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) runs up the court against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt (center) and assistant coach Tyronn Lue (right) stand near forward LeBron James (23) against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena. New York won 95-90. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt (center) and assistant coach Tyronn Lue (right) stand near forward LeBron James (23) against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena. New York won 95-90. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers fired head coach David Blatt and hired Tyronn Lue in the same role two weeks ago. Those aren’t the only changes the Cavs have been considering, as reports of trading Kevin Love or Timofey Mozgov have been circulating around. At one point, all three of these were possibilities and nobody was sure of what the Cavs were going to do.

It seems as if the Cavaliers are settling in and finding their comfort zone. They are sitting atop the Eastern Conference, but have key losses to the Warriors and Spurs. There’s no question the Cavs are good enough to win the East, but in the public’s eye they aren’t good enough to win the NBA Finals. This is what calls for some sort of change, but Cleveland needs to pinpoint what the problem is and lay out a plan to attack it.

If a blockbuster-type trade is going to happen, the Cavaliers will most likely be involved. Love would likely be involved as well, despite signing a four-year deal with a fifth-year player option last offseason. But if they decide to move Mozgov instead, there are some viable options to replace him. In fact, Tristan Thompson has already replaced him in the starting lineup.

Related Story: NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Landing Spots For Kevin Love

One problem the Cavs will face is salary cap issues. They are well over the NBA’s $70 million cap with a team payroll of $109,302,763, according to HoopsHype. That will make negotiations difficult without having to move one of their key players, and it is also why Love may be traded if Cleveland makes a move.

Trading Mozgov would likely mean the Cavs trade another piece with him. Cleveland will be looking for an upgrade over Mozgov as a defensive center, in large part due to Love’s lack of defense. Pairing a rim protector gives the Cavs insurance on the defensive end of the court.

But if they decide to trade Love, they will look to add another weapon to create a new big three with Kyrie Irving and LeBron James. That may be more difficult to accomplish in-season than if they were to move him in the offseason.

Cleveland has to do two things as the trade deadline approaches: They must define the problem, whether it’s Love, Mozgov or someone else, then they must improve on whatever problems they pinpoint. If a blockbuster trade is going to happen, Cleveland could be involved.

Next: Going Offensive