T.J. McConnell (Photo : Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers are still looking for a point guard to please LeBron James. The latest trade rumors have linked the Cavaliers to players such as T.J. McConnell of the Philadelphia 76ers, Shelvin Mack of the Utah Jazz and Rajon Rondo of the Chicago Bulls.
James explicitly told the media that the Cavaliers need a playmaker amidst the team's struggles last week. There seems to be a tension brewing between the superstar and the front office but they still have weeks to trade for a point guard.
According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Sixers turned down a trade offer from the Cavaliers. The defending champs reportedly offered Jordan McRae to Philly in exchange for T.J. McConnell.
However, the Sixers turned down the offer since McConnell is a big part of the team's turnaround this season. The former undrafted point guard from Arizona is averaging just 5.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists but he's very vital to Philly's plans.
"The best thing for me is to just not pay any attention to it. If you go looking for it, you are going to find it. And if you don't, it won't find you," McConnell told Pompey.
The 24-year-old playmaker also expressed his happiness with his current team. He praised his Sixers teammates, coaching staff and front office. Even head coach Brett Brown insisted that the team is not interested in trading McConnell.
Another point guard the Cavs have been linked with is the Jazz's Shelvin Mack, per Marc Stein of ESPN. He noted that Cleveland is considering all options including making a deal for Mack, who is averaging 7.9 points and 2.9 assists.
The deal is possible because Mack fits under the Cavaliers' salary cap using the remaining $4.4 million trade exception for Anderson Varejao. However, the Cavs could still go all in and make a blockbuster deal.
According to FOX Sports, Rajon Rondo is the perfect backup point guard for the Cavaliers. The report pointed out that the Cavs have the right players to compliment Rondo's game. However, Iman Shumpert could head to Chicago if a deal ever goes through.
It should be noted that these are all just purely speculative at the moment but expect the Cavaliers to make a deal before or on the February 23 trade deadline. Check out the video below to watch McConnell's game-winner against the Knicks earlier this year.
