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Cleveland Cavs Trade Talk: 5 Cavaliers Trade Targets

By Evan Hablitzel

Mar 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defends Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defends Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Cavaliers
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G-F Will Barton

If the David Griffin lands Denver Nuggets wingman Will Barton for the Cleveland Cavaliers, he better win NBA Executive of the Year. The Nuggets and Cavaliers have certainly been talking, according to the AmicoHoops report. Denver’s interest seems to be centered around the rights to Cedi Osman, but the lanky Turk alone won’t be enough to pull Barton.

Barton, 26, is averaging 13.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 28.7 minutes per contest. He shoots 42.3 percent from deep — perfectly in line with Cleveland’s elite shooting. Barton has come off the bench 13 times this season and started 15 games for the Nuggets. His breakout 2015-2016 season saw him start just once, while effectively coming off the bench 81 times en route to Sixth Man of the Year consideration.

Based on his splits when starting or coming off the bench, sixth man seems to be the best role for Barton. He shoots 47.9 percent when coming off the bench, compared to just 43.2 percent when starting. Perhaps more telling, the 6-foot-6 Memphis product’s assist-to-turnover ratio plummets to 1.42 while starting, compared to 2.63 off the bench.

Considering J.R. Smith’s injury, the addition of Barton would take pressure off both Kyle Korver and Iman Shumpert. Parting ways with a combination of Cedi Osman, Jordan McRae, Kay Felder or a future first is well-worth the return in Barton. With LeBron James on your roster, there is no future — it’s always win-now mode for David Griffin.

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