CLEVELAND -- According to multiple reports, "several prominent players" on the Cleveland Cavaliers feel the team's problems cannot be solved with its current roster.
That roster, however, may not be intact for long.
As the Golden State Warriors handed the Cavs their fourth straight loss with a 118-108 victory in Cleveland on Monday, Marc Stein of The New York Times commented on the state of the three-time defending Eastern Conference champions. In doing so, the longtime NBA insider revealed that a trusted source had told him the Cavs will "definitely" make at least one deal prior to the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
Stein proceeded to speculate Cleveland could be interested in Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan -- a name the Cavs have been linked to in recent weeks. He also pointed out that landing a star caliber player could be crucial in the team's quest to re-sign free agent-to-be LeBron James.
It appears a trade would be welcomed inside the Cleveland locker room, with multiple players telling ESPN, The Athletic and cleveland.com on Monday that they didn't feel a solution to the team's ongoing issues existed with the roster's current construction. In addition to being the oldest team in the league, the Cavs lack a true rim protector, an issue which has been magnified with Cleveland laying claim to the second-to-worst defense in the NBA.
The Brooklyn Nets' 2018 first-round pick, which the Cavs acquired in the deal that sent Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics last summer, appears to be emerging as a point of contention between players and front office. While the pick could be used as a trade chip, Cleveland management appears determined to keep the asset in case James opts to leave when he can become a free agent next summer.
But whether it includes the Brooklyn pick or not, Stein expects the Cavs to make a deal. And with the trade deadline quickly approaching, such shakeup to the Cleveland roster could be coming sooner rather than later.
