Offers From Rival Teams Lacking As Cavs Explore Trade Market

The Cavaliers continue to seek help at shooting guard and small forward, and it appears Larry Nance Jr. continues to be coveted by opposing teams. Could a deal be in the works?

Probably not quite yet, but the above comes courtesy of Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, who reported Cavs general manager Koby Altman remains very active in the trade market.

Altman and his staff also have been keeping their eyes peeled in free agency, but that well is running dry. For the Cavs, a trade may make more sense.

Of course, Nance isn’t the only player or asset that appeals to rival teams. Per Fedor, opponents are also evaluating what it would take for the Cavs to part with their 2022 first-round pick.

Vegas has the Cavs in the 26-win range — and as the roster is currently constructed, that sounds about right. So that 2022 pick is viewed as something that will again fall in the lottery (Nos. 1-14).

At any rate, the trade offers for Nance have been there all offseason. But according to Hoops Wire sources, none have been very good. In fact, it appears that other teams are still in “let’s see if we can rip off the Cavs” mode.

Along with listening to offers for Nance, the Cavs have discussed deals involving leading scorer Collin Sexton, as well as power forward Kevin Love and small forward Cedi Osman.

Cleveland has gained no traction on anything, and again, it’s mostly because the proposed returns have been … well, pretty lousy. (Or in the case of Love, there are no proposed returns at all. It’s pretty evident no one wants him unless Sexton and a pick are included.)

The Cavs have some end-of-the-bench guys on nonguaranteed deals, giving them room to make some more moves. That list consists of shooting guard Damyean Dotson, center/forward Mfiondu Kabengele, forward Lamar Stevens and power forward Dean Wade.

Yes, those players were in the Cavs’ rotation. But they would be end-of-the-bench in many other places. So with a few cuts the Cavs could open up several roster spots and fill them with more able-bodied veterans. 

Per Fedor, the Cavs have spoken to the Hawks about promising young wing Cam Reddish, and may also have an interest in Grizzlies guard/forward Dillon Brooks and forward Kyle Anderson, both of whom are reportedly available.

Also, while talks have seemingly cooled, the Cavs have not entirely yet given up on the idea of a trade for 76ers star guard/forward Ben Simmons, sources told Hoops Wire.

Cleveland has a desperate need for perimeter defense, and Simmons could almost single-handedly fix that massive ill. But as suspected, the price for Simmons remains incredibly steep.

For the Cavs it would likely mean parting ways with both Sexton and Nance, and likely involving a third team.

Right now, nothing is close on that — or any — front. But with training camp again right around the corner, it’s fairly evident Altman and the Cavs have a few irons in the fire. What they come up with remains to be seen.