2019 NBA Trade Deadline: 15 players in need of a trade

7. J.R. Smith
6. Kevin Love

J.R. Smith hasn’t been with the Cleveland Cavaliers since Nov. 20, awaiting his trade away from last year’s Eastern Conference champions. Kevin Love, meanwhile, hasn’t played for the Cavs since Oct. 24, sidelined by a foot surgery. It’s not hard to understand why this team has the third-worst record in the league under such circumstances.

Even after re-signing Love to a four-year, $120 million extension over the summer, no one would be surprised to see him plopped on the trade block once he’s healthy. That massive contract will make him harder to move, but he’s still an established stretch-4 and NBA champion. He has no place wasting away on a bottom-feeder that needs to tank for draft picks.

As for Smith, his $14.7 million salary may be hard to deal for, even if only $3.9 million of his $15.7 million salary for 2019-20 is guaranteed. A team in need of 3-point shooting would consider him, but it’ll be hard for either of these players to be moved before Feb. 7.