After giving the Cleveland Cavaliers their first National Basketball Association championship, LeBron James has been consistent in voicing out his opinion about the team needing a playmaker. Now, the Cavaliers have reportedly shown interest in acquiring Jose Calderon of the Los Angeles Lakers and Andrew Bogut of the Dallas Mavericks.
The Cavaliers, who have lost five of their last 10 outings, have set their eyes on Calderon and Bogut as players who can bolster their bench, ESPN reported. Cleveland lost defensive specialists Matthew Dellavedova and Timofey Mozgov in the offseason and looks to regroup by adding the Spaniard and the Aussie.
But ESPN's Marc Stein believes that with the Cavs being one of the big spenders in the league as James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson combine for almost $400 million of their cap, it is a long shot to land the two international talents. Since Bogut has been vocal that he does not see himself playing for the Mavericks in the long run, the Cavaliers would have to hope Dallas will buyout the seven footer before the trade deadline for him to be available in the free agent market.
Aside from Bogut, Cleveland has also expressed their interest for Mavericks guard Deron Williams to give what James wants, a playmaker. The Cavaliers have been reported to make deals for either Jordan Farmar, Mario Chalmers and Lance Stephenson but according to CBS Sports, it is Farmar who will likely join the defending champs.
Farmar has not played in more than 41 games since 2010-11 and was waived by the Sacramento Kings three months ago. In the two games he played for the Kings, the former UCLA standout averaged 6.0 points and dished 4.5 assists. Calderon is averaging 3.5 points and 2.1 assists in 12.4 minutes with the Lakers while Bogut is norming 3.0 points and 8.4 rebounds in 22.6 minutes of action with the Mavs.
Watch the video below for other of the Cavaliers' trade rumors: