The Cleveland Cavaliers could be looking to explore the trade market using their trade exception and those the defending champs could target are Trevor Ariza of the Houston Rockets and PJ Tucker of the Phoenix Suns.
The Cavs have a trade exception of $9.6 million, which was created by dumping Anderson Varejao's salary to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for a future first-rounder. With the Cavs still looking to improve their roster, they could use the trade exception to acquire key players who could address the team's needs.
According to SB Nation's Carter Rodriguez, among the options the Cavs have in using their trade exception are Trevor Ariza of the Houston Rockets and PJ Tucker of the Phoenix Suns.
After securing LeBron James for three more years, the Cavs are still expected to be one of the top teams in the league, but may fall short in defending their title without any key additions to their roster. Adding Ariza, who averaged 12.7 points per game last season, while shooting 41.6 percent from the field, including 37.1 from the three-point line, would give the Cavs another versatile player who can be an offensive threat and cover up multiple positions.
"Trevor Ariza being absorbed into the Cavaliers trade exception has fueled many a fever dream of Cavaliers fans. He's a veteran, he's a rangy defender, can shoot the ball and is one of the better regarded role players in the league. He'd be an immediate upgrade at the hybrid three/small-ball four over Richard Jefferson and Mike Dunleavy," Rodriguez wrote.
Tucker, who was hardly effective with the Suns last season, could also be a trade option for the Cavs. Tucker played 31.0 minutes a game in all 82 outings for the Suns last season, but the 31-year-old small forward only averaged 8.0 points. However, Tucker's overall game on both ends of the floor should still see him a valuable acquisition for the Cavs.
"I know plenty would be loath to give up a first-rounder for a player on an expiring deal, but Dan Gilbert's been willing to pay to keep his role players, and I think Tucker would be an upgrade on Iman Shumpert as a wing defender and has the kind of positional versatility the Cavaliers like in a player. If Dan Gilbert is willing to spend the money, this is a player who makes a great deal of sense for the Cavaliers," Rodriguez noted.
It is unclear whether the Cavs would truly consider these players an option this season, much less make a move to further improve their lineup. But if anyone between Ariza and Tucker comes up available, the Cavs may consider opting for key players instead of catching bigger fishes in the trade market.
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