Trade targets: All 30 teams
Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: 38-14
1st place in East
Status: Buyers
The Cavaliers fired coach David Blatt midseason and replaced him with Tyronn Lue.
A year ago, the Cavs made their run to the Finals on the basis of two big trades, acquiring Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith and Timofey Mozgov. This year, as the Cavs try to win the Eastern Conference again and ultimately the NBA title, it appears that changing coaches might be the big midseason move.
That's because the Cavs roster is well-stocked and mostly devoid of holes. That's a good thing, because the Cavs are miles over the luxury tax threshold, even after dealing injured guard Joe Harris to Orlando. That move did free up a roster spot, which Cleveland could fill with one more defense-oriented forward. Don't forget: The Cavs own a $10.5 million trade exception thanks to their offseason trade of Brendan Haywood.
Potential trade targets
Trevor Ariza
Ariza could be a guy who puts the Cavs over the top playing a role similar to the one he held down for the 2009 championship Lakers. The Rockets wouldn't necessarily be keen to unload him, but if Houston's season continues to be enigmatic, you never know.
Jared Dudley
Dudley's ability to defend both forward positions and space the floor at an elite level make him an ideal Cleveland target. Washington, of course, still needs him, but if the Wizards' season comes unhinged over the next few weeks, perhaps they'll seek to unload Dudley's reasonable but expiring deal.
P.J. Tucker
Tucker doesn't have Dudley's gravity as a floor spacer but has a similar defensive profile. And goodness knows the Suns need to shake things up.
Most trade value
1. LeBron James
But he won't get traded.
2. Kyrie Irving
Most teams would love to have Irving despite his apparent fragility.
Would a Kyrie-for-Chris Paul deal make sense? Check out this piece from Kevin Pelton on why it works for both the Cavs and the Clippers.
3. Kevin Love
By now, we know Love won't match his Minnesota numbers as the No. 3 guy in Cleveland. Nevertheless, there's little impetus for the Cavs to break up their big three, especially before they've gone through a full playoff season together.
4. Mo Williams
Williams' contract and skill level have to be attractive to any number of contenders looking for a high-level bench scorer. He played well for the Cavs before Irving returned. Now he's out of the rotation and nursing an injured thumb.
5. Timofey Mozgov
Mozgov has fallen out of the starting lineup. Still, Cleveland would be hard-pressed to find a comparable low-post defender and rim protector at his price tag, and the expiring status of his deal would limit the return.
6. Tristan Thompson
Thompson may be the best offensive rebounder in the game and if you're the best at something, you've got trade value.
7. Matthew Dellavedova
Lots of teams would love to get their hands on Dellavedova for his shooting, versatility, defensive toughness and small price tag. All reasons why it'd be surprising if the Cavs moved him.
8. Anderson Varejao
For a team looking to add future picks by serving as a salary clearinghouse, Varejao would fit since his two remaining contract years are non-guaranteed. The Cavs can absorb a significant player with their trade exceptions, but that would be an expensive move. Trading Varejao and his relatively large salary could help ease the tax pain that would come with cashing in the Haywood trade exception.
Most valuable draft pick
2018 first-rounder
This year's first-rounder is headed to Phoenix, via Boston, though it has three years of top-10 protection. A team acquiring the next available Cleveland first-rounder will get it two years after the 2016 pick conveys to the Suns. Thanks to the rule necessitated by Cleveland favorite Ted Stepien, the Cavs can't trade their 2017 pick.
Toughest contract to trade
LeBron James
Even if Cleveland GM David Griffin went insane and decided to unload James, LeBron could simply opt out after the season and pick a new team. Even the strictest interpretation of multiverse theory can't prove this scenario exists somewhere, in any dimension.
Player most likely to be traded
Mo Williams
Williams retains value for Cleveland as an X-factor scorer who can carry a team for stretches and as insurance for Irving. But if he's deemed to be superfluous, Williams is the most movable guy on the depth chart. He could bring back a quality defender or extra rim protector.