Might the Cavaliers look to make an addition as the Feb. 18 trade deadline approaches? As good as they are, they certainly could, and a particular name has surfaced following their 99-95 loss in San Antonio last night.
Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com reports that several Cavs players have expressed the potential of trading for Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris, who is fully expected to be on the trade market given his disgruntled scenario in Phoenix.
Influential figures within the Cavaliers’ locker room are open to the notion of trading for disgruntled Phoenix Suns power forward Markieff Morris, cleveland.com has learned.
They believe the Cavs can get the most potential out of him in the role he’d be assigned.
They’re intrigued with the possibility of adding another stretch-four to back up Kevin Love. Also, Morris would serve as an insurance policy for an injury.
The most influential figure in that locker room is LeBron James. While no players are named, it’s LeBron’s approval that would make this a story.
Adding another stretch forward like Morris would give the Cavs a jolt in depth and another shot maker. Cleveland has a $10.8 million trade exception, which could take on Morris’ $8 million salary, but even though Morris isn’t a top-tier commodity, Phoenix will probably want assets in return that the Cavs don’t have to offer.
The front office doesn’t have the same desire from Morris as these players, according to Haynes.
However, league sources with knowledge of the Cavaliers’ thinking insist there’s no connection right now between Morris and the defending Eastern Conference champions. I’m told the organization isn’t too keen with the idea, fearing the team chemistry would be ruined.
Instead, the Cavs on the lookout for another defensive-minded wing with a long distance spot-up stroke, cleveland.com was informed — someone who can back up Shumpert, whose frantic style of play tends to lead to injuries.
The Cavs are clearly looking to make a subtle move, but want to keep as much of their roster in tact as possible. Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports reported that teams have called the Cavs about Timofey Mozgov, who has struggled this season, but they have no intention of trading Mozgov, as reported by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
If Cleveland really wants to make some sort of upgrade, no matter how subtle, they might have to be willing to part with someone. That may depend on how subtle.
