With the NBA trade deadline drawing near, organizations across the association are looking to bolster their respective rosters. The defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers will likely be among those teams who are searching for solid reserve players.
It’s no secret that the Cavs are in the market for a veteran backup point guard. There have been several names tossed about with regards to who the Cavs might be interested in.
Let’s start with Jarrett Jack; a player who most Cavs fans will remember from his stint wearing the Wine and Gold. As ESPN’s Marc Stein reports in his recent article, Jack, 33, who last played for the Brooklyn Nets, is nearing a return from a knee tear he suffered on January 3rd of last year. The veteran guard is gearing up to hold open auditions for NBA teams.
Another backup point guard candidate for Cleveland could be Mario Chalmers. Stein reports that Chalmers is hopeful of making a return to the court in 2017. Chalmers, 30, went down after an Achilles tear late last season, and has been rehabbing ever since. Chalmers has played with LeBron James, James Jones, and Chris Anderson previously, all being members of the Miami Heat during LeBron’s four-year tenure, and his familiarity with the franchise’s face may boost his stock come deadline time. A starting caliber ball handler, Chalmers has both on and off ball skills, plays mediocre defense, and knows how to play in a LeBron James run system. Chalmers is also known as one of the most professional vets in the NBA. As of now, Chalmers is unsigned and Cleveland will have until March 1st to sign any free agent if they want them available in the playoffs.
With Mario Chalmers also hopeful of making a return to the court in 2017 … veteran point guard market has the potential to get interesting
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 4, 2017
Norris Cole, 28, also a former teammate of James in Miami, is another veteran guard who could be ready by next week. The former Cleveland State Viking stand-out, who last played in the NBA with the New Orleans Pelicans, has been recovering from a hamstring injury. Cole is garnering interest from several teams, as Stein and several other sources have stated.
Bleacher Report indicates that Rajon Rondo could also be on Cleveland’s radar. Rondo signed a two-year, $27 million deal in the offseason with the Chicago Bulls, but the former All-Star has been benched for three consecutve games, including Wednesday’s game against the Cavs. If the Bulls arent going to utilize his talents, Rondo will likely seek a trade or buy-out. According to www.cleveland.com, the Cavs are keeping an eye on the situation.
NBA teams can start signing players to 10-day contracts beginning on Thursday. The Cavs will (most likely) be among the teams looking to make a move in the coming weeks.
