The Cleveland Cavaliers surprised everyone with a big move to start off the NBA trade season. But it doesn’t appear like they’re done making moves.
With Kyle Korver now in Cleveland, the team’s biggest need is a backup point guard. That’s why according to Joe Vardon of NBA.com, they have their eyes on two notable targets:
Seated on the Bulls’ bench for the third consecutive game was Rajon Rondo, a former All-Star who signed a two-year, $27 million deal in the offseason to come to Chicago. If the Bulls aren’t going to play him, he’d like to be traded or bought out of his contract so he can choose his next team.
The Cavs are watching this development.
Mario Chalmers is a free agent now. He’s recovering from a torn Achilles suffered last season. He hasn’t worked out for any teams, but he remains on Cleveland’s radar.
Rondo is under contract and it would take a trade to get him (unless the Bulls decide to buyout their once starting point guard). That said, Chicago would be willing to trade Rondo to anyone for anything at this point, considering the mess that has become his playing situation.
Chalmers, meanwhile, is recovering from an Achilles injury and it’s not clear how much he will be able to contribute. On paper, he is the better fit, having had plenty of success with LeBron James in Miami, winning two rings.
Speaking of James, the Cavs’ superstar knows what his team needs:
“That was obvious from day one, first day of training camp,” James said. “We don’t have a reliable, veteran backup point guard.”
“Us having 13 assists tonight is not who we are,” James continued (he’s almost done). “I had half the team’s assists and that’s not good for our team because we’ve got guys who need the ball in their hands and put the ball in the right position and the right spots for them to be successful. It’s tough for us.”
So this effectively means that the Cavs will be finding a new backup point guard sometime this season. Whether that’s Rajon Rondo, Mario Chalmers, or a different player (Jarrett Jack is also coming back from injury) remains to be seen.
