After Chris Andersen suffered a season-ending ACL tear, the Cavs are in need of another rim protector.
Aside from Tristan Thompson, the Cavs have Channing Frye and Kevin Love in the frontcourt, but neither player is lauded for their defense.
The Cavs are reportedly in the trade market to address this issue.
Andersen had guaranteed contract & Cavs are unlikely to outright release him immediately because of tax issues. Will examine trade options.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) December 17, 2016
Without a wide range of trade assets, it won’t be easy to acquire an impact player, but there is certainly a long list of suitors from teams who will be in sell-mode.
Here are five possible options.
1. Omer Asik
Omer Asik, the rim-protecting big man who has not been nearly as impactful in the Big Easy as he was in Chicago, is very much available a league source told CSNNE.com last week.
He may not be the starting-caliber center many hoped he could develop into, but would be an upgrade from what Andersen provided even before the injury.
2. Andrew Bogut
Celtics? Blazers? @TheStarters discuss potential trade options for Andrew Bogut
WATCH: https://t.co/ScNMgO7btU pic.twitter.com/UIjxo7FHmG
— NBA.com (@NBAcom) December 13, 2016
It may take a significant haul to pry him out of Dallas, but his presence would be valuable on any contending team.
3. Tyson Chandler
If you are NBA team in need of a big man, then you just might be in luck… Big Men Who May Be Available Via Trade: https://t.co/NS1mBGsLPc
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) December 14, 2016
Chandler was included in Basketball Insiders’ list of trade candidates on Wednesday. He grabbed 23 rebounds in Tuesday night’s game on a rebuilding Suns team.
4. Luis Scola
Anthony Bennett has passed both Justin Hamilton and Luis Scola in the big man rotation in the last 5 games or so.
— Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) December 17, 2016
The Nets are playing their young guys. Scola may not be a true center, but he’s a better rim protector than Frye and could fit in well surrounded by stars.
5. Kyle O’Quinn
Between O’Quinn, Joakim Noah, Willy Hernangomez and Kristaps Porzingis, there aren’t always enough minutes to go around in New York.
At 26, O’Quinn is just starting to play some of his best basketball and could be a steal if the Cavs were willing to part with a young player and/or assets.
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