Can we really get someone that good for the exception though? I've kept my eye on Corey Brewer since we have had rumored interest, and he actually isn't that bad of a player. I would probably rather have him over Tayshaun. Sadly, either one of them would probably give us more than Dion off our bench.
Unless they include the Memphis pick, and so long as the trade exception is pretty much the only thing they would use in the deal, I agree that expectations should be managed. If they are willing to take the salary and potentially go into the tax, I think I would take any player who might fit and be able to contribute. But most likely the type of player (wing or big) they can get would fit into one of these categories:
- A team looking to get out of the tax or trim its luxury tax bill.
- A team looking to unload a multiyear salary, to free up cap space for next year and following years.
- A team interested in obtaining a TPE in the deal that they would turn around and make a second trade with a different team.
Most likely the trade would be with a team that is struggling, though in the case of the third category (which is by far the least likely) potentially any team might be interested in doing such a trade.
Scouring the rosters, here are some wing possibilities:
CJ Miles. Would have to check out physically. Is in first year of 4 year contract.
Jared Dudley. One more year on his contract. Milwaukee took him as a salary dump from the Clips, so probably would be open to trading him, but probably not motivated to do a salary dump. Pretty much duplicates James Jones anyway.
Andrei Kirilenko. A combo forward with links to Blatt from Russia national team. Has already been rumored as a buy-out possibility for Brooklyn later in the year. If he is still interested in playing, that is.
Quincy Pondexter. Like Miles, 3 more years on his contract. Is buried deep on the bench in Memphis.
Corey Brewer. Seems like only a matter of time before Minny looks to unload some vets, but Brewer will probably ultimately command something more than the TPE.
Chase Budinger. He's the guy Minny would likely part with for the TPE to shed his $5M salary for next year. Is shooting all of 28% from field.
Martell Webster. Salary just barely fits into the exception. Has been injured all year though, and if he can play I don't know why Wizards would trade him. I guess to clear his 2015-16 salary from the books? They'd probably prefer to wait till the summer.
Iman Shumpert. Has already been extensively discussed. If Hardaway continues to play well, may be a factor in what Knicks decide to do. Is an RFA after this season, and has cooled off since his strong start.
Randy Foye. Maybe a candidate to be traded, but Denver has no incentive to move him without getting something in return since he is on expiring contract (team option next year) and they have no tax issues this year.
Alan Anderson. I mean, it would save Brooklyn $1.2M plus luxury taxes.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Eh, probably not a viable trade here.
Caron Butler. Next year is a team option, but if the season continues the way it has started, maybe Detroit just decides to hit the reset button.
Jeremy Evans. Combo forward who defends and rebounds, but has never really played in all his years in Utah. Utah probably not just going to give him away, and Cavs probably not overly interested.
Wesley Johnson. Seems to be falling out of favor in Laker-land. I think he would actually be a decent fit here as a low usage player who will focus on perimeter defense. Lakers may have luxury tax issues (which is something they are sensitive to), especially if they use their disabled player exception(s) and so they might be motivated to move him (or someone else). I think this is actually a decent trade and would probably cost nothing other than the TPE.
Wayne Ellington. Similar situation to Wes Johnson. Better shooter, worse defender. Has had injury issues this year.
Gary Neal: Someone else mentioned him in another thread as a player of possible interest, on the grounds that he can handle the ball some. I didn't include him initially because I don't see him as a 3 & D type guy, but if the Cavs were to trade Waiters, I think he would make some sense. With Charlotte's season spiraling out of control, they might be willing to dump him for the TPE and get their own trade exception.
Some other guys who make more than the TPE who could potentially be traded for. Trade would almost certainly include Waiters, but I think the guys making $7M+ would be tough to trade for unless the Cavs include Haywood for salary matching purposes, which seems highly unlikely.
Gerald Henderson. Has one more year on his $6M/yr contract. How much longer before Michael Jordan orders that moves be made to shake things up? I think a Dion for Henderson deal makes sense for both teams if Charlotte is able to move Stephenson (which they should be able to do because his contract is favorable). Henderson is hardly ideal since, among other things, he doesn't shoot 3s, but I think he would be a better fit here.
J.R. Smith. Well, I'm very confident New York would trade him, particularly because he has one more year on his contract ($6.3M next year).
Arron Afflalo. Probably makes too much ($7.5M this year) to be practical, though I suspect Denver would entertain moving him if they are out of the playoff picture.
Wilson Chandler. Seems like virtually every player on Denver is a candidate to be traded. Very odd team, and I have no idea what they are trying to do there.
Tayshaun Prince. I just think he makes too much to execute a trade. He's also not any good.
I've tried to be fairly comprehensive, though I have intentionally left off some names that I am really opposed to (such as Nick Young). Of course, when I have made lists like this in the past, the Cavs have managed to find other players (such as Amundson this summer after I had created several big men lists).
To sum up, I think
Charlotte presents possibilities because of the likelihood of a shakeup. I think the
Lakers are also a candidate because of their continuing on the court issues and potential tax problems. Plus they have some players who are potentially intriguing. I would guess
Denver would move almost anyone on their roster (I didn't even discuss their bigs) but I am less interested in what they have at this time, aside from Mozgov, and I don't see any natural trades there. Due to their struggles and other factors, the
Knicks are another potential trade partner, but I think it would probably have to involve a third team in order to get them something they might want. I think Pondexter and Miles are in similar situations, and I would consider both of them if their health checks out.
