Cleveland Cavaliers trade talk: TristanThompson for Hassan Whiteside

If the Cleveland Cavaliers trade rumor involving Tristan Thompson and Kyle Korver for Hassan White is too good not to dissect.

There’s a Cleveland Cavaliers rumor out there floating around out there that needs to be addressed.

The speculated deal centers around moving Tristan Thompson and Kyle Korver to the Miami Heat for Hassan Whiteside, according to All U Can Heat writer Michael Shofner, who initially wrote about such a deal almost two weeks ago.

There’s also been talk of the Heat sending one of three guards to the Cavs. Those names include James Johnson, Tyler Johnson and old friend Dion Waiters.

None of the big NBA writers have confirmed or denied the possibility of this swap, so who knows if the teams are actually talking.

How often do you hear about an NBA trade, then it actually happens?

The correctly response to that is almost never.

But for the sake of taking roundball on a mid-August day, let’s indulge ourselves.

This deal makes sense for the Heat because they get to rid themselves of Whiteside, who’s been disgrunted. They also get to swap big men and save money doing it. Thompson will earn around $15 million next season, while Whitesides due approximately $22 million.

In Whiteside, the Cavs get a player who is more capable of producing more offensively.

He’s averaged 14 points per game last season and 11.4 boards. Whiteside doesn’t have the offensive rebounding reputation as Thompson, but he’s still very good at it, having averaged 3.2 offensive boards per contest last season.

Of the other players the Heat supposedly made available, Johnson should be the one the Cavs covet.

He’s the youngest and his game probably best fits the Cavaliers at this juncture of their weird status as bottom feeder playoff contender.

Cavs’ fans know Waiters’ game well. He’s a ball dominant player who loves to shoot. Not sure placing him in the same backcourt as rookie Collin Sexton is a good idea.

The puzzling thing about this trade, is Korver.

Look for the Cavs to move the 3-point maven, but Cleveland’s got to try and get a draft pick in return. He’s cheap (by NBA standards). Korver will earn $15 million over the next two seasons.

There are interesting names thrown around in this rumor, but ultimately don’t count on it coming to fruition.

Cleveland doesn’t need to add money to its payroll just to compete for the seventh seed in the East. The only reason Koby Altman makes this deal is because there is draft pick compensation or he’s getting a player he really, really likes.

And the Cavs can do better in a deal for Korver. It may take a little time, but the right deal should be there.