Cleveland Cavs: Grading the tradable assets at mid-season
By Chad Porto
John Henson
Trade Value: C
Trade Return: Several 2nd picks, an aging vet on a bad deal and maybe one potential prospect
– John Henson, unlike Knight, offers a place of need for a lot of teams, which is a defensive-minded big man. He’s oft-injured, but a contending team with a need for a defensive playmaker off the bench would be wise to look at Henson. Sure he’s not the player he once was, and he doesn’t offer much in the way of offense, but he still hustles and block shots. Which is really all you need out of a player like him.
He’s not inept on the offensive side of the glass, being able to handle put-back shots. Just don’t rely on him for a 20/10 game or even a 10/10 game. Use him as a spell for when your starter at the five-spot gets into foul trouble or winded, but then otherwise don’t put him in the game. Not on a playoff team. He’s strictly to shore up anyone’s gaps on the bench and is absolutely not a series-making type of player. He could change the course of a game in the playoffs. Just not an entire series.
He’s best served in a place like Denver or Miami, where he’d instantly become the best defensive big off the bench. It’s not like Myers Leonard is blowing anyone away. Don’t expect anything of relevance from a trade with him in it. More than likely you’re swapping salary, getting back a two-three year deal of similar length by a lesser player and maybe two 2nd round picks at best.
Likeliest landing spots: Denver, Miami