OKC Thunder trade deadline series: Cavaliers fire sale doesn’t afford many valuable options

Team Situation:

The Cavaliers rank 14th in East as of January 31 with an 11-42 record and are fully in sell mode.

Needs:

I wrote about Collin Sexton in the Power Rankings a few weeks ago noting he’s more of a scoring point guard than a playmaker. At this stage, the Cavs need to do massive salary dumps, shed players they don’t envision becoming part of the core rebuild. If they keep Kevin Love Cleveland will need to add depth to the bench in the frontcourt.

Still, trying to grab additional draft picks with the view of shedding salaries is their best bet.

As for Love, his absence on the court makes it virtually impossible to add him as an asset to shop. Teams won’t be keen to pay a steep guaranteed salary of $144,519,025 through to 2022-23 season. Especially if they can’t determine how Love has recovered from his most recent injury issues.

Who is on the block:

The better question might be who isn’t on the block – Collin Sexton is safe and it’s likely Love can’t be moved given his injury, four year extension and reality he won’t be on the hardwood prior to the deadline.

The bullseye will be firmly pointed at JR Smith who seems like a difficult asset to move unless a squad is keen for his immediate help. Although he is contracted through the next two seasons only $3.9 million of his $15.7 million contract is guaranteed next season which may give Altman a bit of leeway.