Brendan Haywood (4th from right) during the East Finals trophy presentation. (Photo : Reuters)
NBA journeyman Brendan Haywood is reportedly being shopped by the Eastern Conference champions Cleveland Cavaliers along with its 24th pick in the upcoming NBA Draft on June 25, as per ESPN. The 7-foot veteran center is part of the Cavs official roster but has not played in this year's entire postseason.
The Cavs are hoping that the $10.5 million unguaranteed salary of Haywood next year would be appealing for teams who are looking on deals to create more cap space in preparation for the July free agency season.
In return, Cleveland is allegedly looking for a pure point guard, one that could back up Kyrie Irving or play alongside him much like what Eric Snow did for Allen Iverson in the late 90s.
Matthew Dellavedova and Iman Shumpert, the team's starting backcourt combo in Games 2 through 6 of the recently concluded NBA Finals, are both restricted free agents this summer. The team is not sure of the interest these two may give other teams and so they want an insurance at the position when Irving returns.
The Cavs may also be looking to add another facilitating guard-forward ala-LeBron James as they struggled against the Golden State Warriors' big playmakers in the championship series.
However, if the team would include their first round pick in the Haywood deal, they would have to wait until the draft is finished. Since they have added their 2016 first-round draft pick in the deal that sent Kevin Love last year, they are not allowed to trade this year's pick without selecting first.
And so they must find a team that would approve whoever would be their 24th pick as well as willing to get Haywood in exchange for a facilitating guard or forward that they desire.
It may sound simple, but the problem with this premise is that there are actually not a lot of players available this offseason that would fit the salary range and the attributes the Cavs are looking for, according to SB Nation.
