The Cleveland Cavaliers, in their never-ending journey to acquire a back-up point guard, are now interested in Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.
The simpler option for the reigning champions, as opposed to a Melo-sized blockbuster deal, might prove to be a smaller swap in which the Cavaliers absorb the salary of a veteran point guard into their $4.4 million Anderson Varejao trade exception that expires Feb. 20. Sources say one vet known to interest the Cavs — one who possesses a salary that would fit into that exception — is Utah’s Shelvin Mack at $2.4 million. Mack, according to sources, is most definitely available. The Cavs, though, would be forced to use the $4.8 million trade exception they just created in the Kyle Korver deal (with an expiration date of Jan. 7, 2018) to absorb the salary of Denver’s Jameer Nelson, who is said to be another Cleveland target but makes $4.5 million this season …
Shelvin Mack joins a long list of guards that Cleveland has expressed interest in, including Jameer Nelson, Mario Chalmers, Kirk Hinrich, Norris Cole, Rajon Rondo and Deron Williams.
Mack, who’s in his second season with Utah, has averaged 7.9 points and 2.9 assists in 42 games this year.
Cleveland has struggled at times this season, lacking a secondary ball-handling guard behind Kyrie Irving. Regardless, the Cavs still hold the best record in the Eastern Conference. They have plenty of time to make a move, but certainly understand the significance of signing or trading for another ball-handler.
