Cleveland Cavaliers trade rumors: What deal is there left to make?

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 30: LeBron James
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 30: LeBron James /
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In Cleveland Cavaliers trade rumors, the team is willing to move their own first-round pick, but what deals are still left to make?

For the Cleveland Cavaliers, this could be the end.

One last shot at a title, capping off the greatest era in Cleveland basketball history.

No one wants to admit it, but look old, clunky, disjointed and just not representative of what a championship basketball team should like.

Around Cavs country, everything centers around LeBron James–as it should.

The Cavs and owner Dan Gilbert probably want a commitment from James regarding his future., but they’re not going to get it. James said he’ll deal with his free agency once summer arrives. It’s February. Who knows what the NBA landscape will look like in July?

With that said, LeBron’s wants to see the roster improve. He’s 33 and with his presence alone, the Cavs will have a shot to get back to The Finals come June.

But the truth is the Cavs have little to trade as far as core additions are concerned.

Cleveland.com’s Terry Pluto wrote how Cleveland would move the Brooklyn pick if it meant acquiring a younger player under team control.

But is that player out there?

The Cavs missed out this summer. Chris Paul was traded to the Rockets. Cleveland swung and missed on Paul George. Jimmy Butler went to the Timberwolves. Carmelo Anthony went to the Thunder. Eric Bledsoe got swapped for Greg Monroe. Blake Griffin is now a Piston.

The names being linked to the Cavs include George Hill, Lou Williams and DeAndre Jordan. These aren’t core players. They recognizable names, but even then, at the end of the day, they’re just guys to complement James.

The core player who’d look great in a Cavs uniform right now is Kyrie Irving, but the Cavs made their decision to trade him not for ready-to-win talent, but for a draft pick.

Owner Dan Gilbert’s been left high and dry by LeBron James once, so you can’t blame him for wanting to build on that acquired asset for the future. Think back to that season after “The Decision.” James was playing in South Beach. Kyrie Irving was battling injuries as a freshman at Duke. Jamario Moon was starting for the Cavs at small forward.

At the same time, James frustration over the Cavs inability to land him some serious help is understandable.

Perhaps Wine & Gold country has been spoiled the past three years, but typically, you don’t get to contend for a title every season. With James on your roster, you always have that chance.

So, we’ve got a standoff. James wants to win now. Gilbert does too, but he’s keeping one eye on a future that may or may not include No. 23.

The Cavs will probably make a trade, as the organization is willing to move their own first-round pick, which will be in the low to mid 20s.

But you can begin to see the end of The King’s second reign. Free agency will come and the Cavs will sill be bogged down by the bad contract of J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson and Iman Shumpert.

James will depart via free agency (No, not to Golden State), and the Cavs will begin their rebuild with a rookie from what looks like a deep draft class.

It stinks, but that’s the typical cyclical nature of sports.

The Cavs went to three straight Finals, winning one. James delivered on his promise to bring a major sports championship to northeast Ohio. Cleveland fans across the world were provided with life-long memories they’ll never forget.

Who will ever forget the throngs of people hanging out of that parking garage to watch the championship parade!?

Next: 5 Cleveland stars you'd love to give a clean bill of health

But all good things must come to an end, and for the Cavs current run, that may mean a June expiration date.