Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 NBA trade partners that make the most sense

By Nick Dudukovich

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 11: Larry Nance Jr.
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 11: Larry Nance Jr. /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 26: Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier #10 reacts during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Amway Center on December 26, 2014 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 26: Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier #10 reacts during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Amway Center on December 26, 2014 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic

The Magic appear to be reshuffling the deck again as the franchise tries to become relevant for the first time since that Dwight Howard led Orlando team knocked the 2009 LeBorn James-led Cavaliers out of the playoffs.

The franchise seems ready to move some interesting pieces in Evan Fournier, Mario Hezonja and Elfrid Payton.

Fournier is intriguing because the Cavs need more perimeter help. Yeah, if it sounds like a broken record, you’re right. But to beat the Warriors, you need guys who can score from, and defend the perimeter.

DeAndre Jordan‘s name is thrown around in just about every Cavs trade rumor, but how many centers did you see in the latest Cleveland-Golden State matchup?

Fournier, 25, was drafted with the 20th overall pick in the 2012 draft by the Denver Nuggets. He’s averaging 18.0 points per game, while shooting just under 40 percent from 3-point range. His defense has also been improved.

Hezonja is only 22. He was the fifth overall pick in the 2015 Draft, but the 6-foot-8 shooting guard is averaging 6.8 points and just over three rebounds per contest.

Payton, 23, who is also a former lottery pick, is producing his best NBA season by averaging 12.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game.

Some view Payton as a backup point guard on a contender, but those assist numbers stand out. Isiah Thomas has played in only five games with the Cavs, but it’s concerning to see how the ball doesn’t move as much with IT on the floor.

He’s shooting just 36 percent from the floor. If Thomas is going to be a ball dominant player, the Cavs need him to be more efficient.

These are young players who would make the Cavs, who are one of the NBA’s oldest team, better right now, and they are players the franchise can build around for the future.

It’s unlikely the Cavaliers are going to land all three players, but they could certainly try to attain one and ideally, the franchise would’ve have to trade the Brooklyn Nets pick acquired in the trade for Kyrie Irving.

The Cavs have their own first-round pick this season, and according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, that selection is available.

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers