The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly planning another big move on the trading front following a series of transactions before the official start of training camp on Saturday, according to a reliable league source.
The Cavs have created a room to another piece after general manager David Griffin pulling off deals that eventually gave the team a $5.3 million trade exception along with multiple second-round picks.
On Friday, the Cavs sent John Lucas III, Malcolm Thomas, Erik Murphy and Dwight Powell to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Keith Bogans' non-guaranteed contract worth $5 million and two second-round picks.
There were speculations Bogans' cap-friendly contract along with Brandon Haywoods' $10million non-guaranteed deal would allow the Cavs to have $16million unguaranteed salary and land another star via trde.
But the Cavs might have a different plan in store, as they immediately traded Bogans along with a 2018 second-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for a protected second-round pick. The trade also allowed Cavs also stay under the luxury tax.
What's the next Move?
Even though the Cavs could not any longer use Bogans' non-guaranteed deal as trade bait, sources indicated the franchise is still going to come through with a trade at some point before February's trade deadline. Haywood's $10m non-guaranteed deal is still a huge asset for the Cavs, who could package it with a young talent and a draft pick for a solid star.
Tristan Thompson will become a restricted free-agent if the Cavs did not sign him before October 31 deadline. According to sources, the young power forward is asking a salary around $10 million per year - which a little bit lucrative for a talented but unpolished youngster.
Analysts believed the Cavs might trade Thompson to a team looking for salary cap relief. Denver Nuggets JaVale McGee, who could give the team a shot-blocking presence, might be on the Cavs' radar. Another idea is a trade for Timofey Mozgov or Memphis Grizzlies center Kosta Kofus.
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