Now that the Carmelo Anthony drama is over, activity around the NBA will significantly increase as teams try to finalize deals before Thursday’s deadline.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are no exception.
Over the last month, various sources around the league said teams have expressed an interest in current Cavaliers, but Cleveland was waiting until the Anthony deal went through because they were attached to trade scenarios, clearing the necessary cap space for the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks.
Anthony Parker is one player potentially on the trading block. Sources said both the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics contacted Cavs general manager Chris Grant on Parker’s availability, but Grant does not want to trade Parker for a second-round pick they can purchase on draft night.
The Cavs would move Parker if either the Bulls or Celtics included a young post player, such as Boston’s Semith Erden or Bulls’ Omer Asik, with a pick. However, Bulls executive vice president John Paxson said they will not make a move that disrupts team chemistry or sets them back long term.
Interest for Cleveland point guard Ramon Sessions, who had 32 points, eight assists and three steals against the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday, increased the last two weeks. League sources said the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers would like to add Sessions to their rosters.
Although a rumor surfaced Monday that Cleveland taled with Portland about center Greg Oden, the Cavs are unlikely to trade Sessions due to guard Mo Williams, who Cavs coach Byron Scott shut down Monday because of a sprained ankle he suffered against the Lakers.
Furthermore, Sessions is arguably the Cavs’ best player this year—with a team-leading 19.06 player efficiency rating—and has averaged 19.6 points on 58.6 percent shooting, 8.9 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals over the last eight games.
The Denver Nuggets’ nearly acquired small forward Danilo Gallinari is new to Cavs trade rumors. Gallinari came over in the Anthony deal, but Denver is unlikely to keep him. ESPN’s Chris Broussard reported the Nets, Cavs, Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers may be interested in Gallinari.
The Clippers are offering the Minnesota Timberwolves’ top-10 protected 2011 first-round pick, which they received for Marko Jaric and Lionel Chalmers in 2005, for Gallinari. It may be difficult for Cleveland to match the Clippers’ offer because their first-round picks from Miami do not start until 2013.
Two players the Cavs won’t trade this season are Williams and forward Antawn Jamison.
Jamison, whose value will increase next year as an expiring contract, scared off most teams with his $15 million salary, and Williams, who is due $17 million for the next two seasons, has teams hesitant after being injured most of the year.
By the time the trade deadline comes and goes, the only player likely to be traded will be power forward Leon Powe.
Although Powe doesn’t have any rumors circling him, his expiring contract and playoff experience with Boston and Cleveland make him an excellent addition for a team looking to add depth to the frontcourt without breaking the bank or making a commitment.
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