The Cleveland Cavaliers aren't done reshaping their roster. One report indicated Cleveland might be considering a trade for Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee, while another report indicated Cleveland is now in competition with the Chicago Bulls for free agent Ray Allen.
Cleveland is lacking in size, and their defense - at least on paper - is their biggest question mark. Kevin Pelton of ESPN speculated one solution could be bringing in McGee.
"If the Cavaliers and Nuggets make a trade, my money is on JaVale McGee for Brendan Haywood's instant expiring next summer," Pelton wrote Friday.
McGee, one of the league's top shot-blockers, would add size to Cleveland's frontcourt with his 7-foot height and 7-foot-6 wingspan. It's uncertain, however, how much the Cavaliers would be willing to give up for him. There've been questions about his maturity and his basketball IQ, and he's coming off season-ending surgery for a stress fracture in his left tibia.
If Cleveland were serious about acquiring McGee, a straight McGee-Haywood swap wouldn't work. Cleveland would need to shed around $8 million in salary cap space, which would likely force Cleveland to bring in a third team to help facilitate the trade. It's also doubtful Cleveland would want to give away anything valuable for McGee.
A more realistic solution would be picking up free agent center and defensive anchor Emeka Okafor, whom Cleveland reportedly has interest in signing.
Cleveland, meanwhile, now has even more competition to sign Allen, another free agent target. Sam Smith of Bulls.com reported Chicago was the latest team to enter the Allen sweepstakes and has likely already contacted Allen's agent.
While the Cavaliers - thanks to ex-Heat teammate LeBron James - are considered the frontrunners to land Allen, there're at least four other teams reportedly pursuing Allen: Chicago, the Los Angeles Clippers, the San Antonio Spurs and the Washington Wizards.
Allen, if he decides to return for his 19th season, isn't expected to sign with a team until after training camp.
