The Cleveland Cavaliers have made some roster moves today, releasing three players ahead of the start of the regular season. Forwards Cory Jefferson and Jonathan Holmes, as well as guard Markel Brown, have all been waived and the roster has now been trimmed down to 15 players. The Cavs, however, don’t seem to be done making moves.
According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, the Cavs are looking to trade for a backup point guard.
The Cavaliers are pursuing a trade to acquire a backup point guard and are hoping to make a deal before the season starts Tuesday, sources told cleveland.com.
The Cavs are in advanced discussions with at least one club, according to a source, and could make one or multiple trades to fill the one, glaring need on a team otherwise built to defend its 2016 championship.
Currently, the Cavs have a couple players they could use in a trade. The Cavs like Jordan McRae, but he is one of their most valuable assets. The 25-year old averaged 14 points this preseason and has certainly brought a lot of attention to himself as someone who can play.
RELATED: Cavs waive three players, roster cut to 16 players
In addition to McRae, the Cavs also have the $2.2 million expiring contract of recently-retired Mo Williams. Williams suddenly announced his retirement through his agent and GM David Griffin on Cavs Media day last month. The 13-year veteran opted into the second year of his two-year deal and hasn’t officially filled out the necessary paperwork to retire, so he still holds one of the Cavs 15 spots on the roster.
The Cavs are determined to give Kyrie Irving a decreased workload this season after a summer of winning an NBA Championship and a Gold Medal as well as a big, title-defense season ahead of him. If there’s any one thing that sticks out, it’s the hole the Cavs have at backup point guard. Kay Felder will eventually make a solid backup, but it’s going to be tough for a rookie to handle the immediate pressure of a backup point guard for a championship team.
