The trade February 8 trade deadline can’t come any faster for the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that is 5-10 in its last 15 games. The recent slide, exacerbated by the fact that the Cavs are second to last in defensive efficiency, reportedly has prompted the front office to bid for some outside help.
Reports from Shams Charania earlier this week alluded to the Cavs showing heavy interest in Kings point guard George Hill. The Kings signed Hill this offseason with plans to compete for a spot in the playoffs. The team then informed veteran players Zach Randolph, Vince Carter, and Hill of their plans to shift focus and develop the young talent.
Marc Stein of the New York Times reported that the Cavs have reached out to the Clippers attempting to workshop deals that would land them DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams.
Following from The New York Times,
It remains to be seen if the Cavaliers have the requisite trade assets to complete the deals they are exploring, but Cleveland is targeting the Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams as well as Sacramento Kings guard George Hill, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss Cleveland’s plans publicly.
Stein, in his report, noted that the Cavs are operating with a sense of urgency to turn around a season that many players on the team are starting to sour on. James becoming a free agent this summer has only added to the urgency to get a deal done.
Cleveland, according to Stein’s reports, has made J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert, and center Tristan Thompson available in future deals.
Jordan is a free agent at the end of the season, and could very well re-sign back with the Clippers come July. Williams, who is having a career year with the Clippers, expressed his desire to remain in LA earlier in January.
