Momentum is building on the floor, and the Cavaliers’ phones are staying busy off it.
Per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Cavs have been active in trade conversations as the February 5 deadline approaches, with president of basketball operations Koby Altman and the front office exploring multiple avenues.
“I think there’s a decent chance the Cavs do something,” Windhorst said on ESPN Cleveland. “They have been very active in calls. I think they’ve considered making a home run swing and I think they’ve looked for ways to shave off money.”
That task is complicated by the team’s financial position. The Cavs sit well above the second tax apron, limiting their ability to aggregate salaries or take back more money than they send out.
Basically, any meaningful deal would require precise math and likely a corresponding salary reduction.
Those constraints have factored into internal evaluations of the roster, including ongoing conversations around forward De’Andre Hunter, whose name has surfaced as the Cavs weigh both competitive upside and long-term flexibility.
That said, a true blockbuster remains difficult to envision. Even hypothetically pursuing a player such as Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo would require moving massive salary and reshaping a roster that is currently finding its stride.
After all, the Cavs (29-20) have won five straight heading into Friday’s game at Phoenix.
Still, Windhorst believes Cleveland is leaving no stone unturned.
“Why not?” he said when asked about the Cavs exploring star-level opportunities. “Just trust that if there’s a star player out there, the Cavs have had a discussion about it.”
Whether they make a move or ultimately stay the course, it’s clear the Cavs aren’t just sitting back. If they hold firm at the deadline, it will not be for a lack of effort.
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