The Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly are done making big trades for now. At least two reports indicate the Cavaliers won't use their trade exception this season, with one report indicating the team is focused on building chemistry between the players presently on the roster.
The latest trade rumor involving the Cavaliers centered around Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert. While Cleveland has a trade exception (not enough by itself to get Hibbert, though), it appears unlikely it'll be used this season.
"I do not believe the Cavs have any desire to use the trade exception any time soon," Sam Amico of Fox Sports wrote Wednesay. "I believe the Cavs are done making any type of move, for some time, that will get fans to say 'Yippee!!' I believe the Cavs have a team on the floor that they think is a pretty good team, and will not keep turning things over, bringing guys in, etc.
"If there is one issue with this team, it could be chemistry. So the Cavs don't want to not mess with chemistry. They want to give it time to grow a little. I hope the fans can understand that, because this is a darn good product. Dwight Powell did not factor into their plans. That is why he was traded."
Nate Duncan of Basketball Insiders also believes the Cavaliers won't use the trade exception they picked up in the Keith Bogans trade.
"My guess is they wait until next season," Duncan wrote Tuesday. "I'm not sure who is out there for them this year. They really need a big to protect the basket, and those types of players aren't available for that amount of money."
Cleveland's best chance of acquiring a rim-protector, then, remains through free agency. Emeka Okafor is the best center on the market, and the fact he likely won't be healthy and available until later in the season fits in with Cleveland's supposed plan of not disrupting team chemistry right away.
