With the Cleveland Cavaliers surprisingly struggling to start the season, a new rumor has surfaced and it involves trading shooting guard Dion Waiters in exchange for any shot-blocker or defensive ace available on the trading block.
After succumbing to their fourth consecutive loss at the hands of the Eastern Conference power Toronto Raptors, the Cavaliers are suddenly in search for a much needed help, particularly on the defensive end of the floor.
The Cavs are currently the fifth worst defensive team in the NBA, allowing opponents to score 102.7 per contest. Despite boasting perhaps the most offensively gifted triumvirate in the league, Kyrie Irving and Kevin have not been known for their tight defense while LeBron James hasn't been the defensive stopper he was during his four-year tenure with the Miami Heat.
According to USA Today NBA analyst Steven Ruiz, Waiters is the most likely player to be moved before the trade deadline. The 22-year old guard cracked into the starting lineup to begin his third NBA season, but quickly learned the harsh reality of sharing the same floor with three ball-dominant players. After five games, he was demoted to his previous sixth man role while veteran Shawn Marion took his spot.
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"The 22-year-old guard isn't in a rush to win yet, and isn't quite ready to sacrifice his numbers and potential earning power for the good of the team, Ruiz opines. Waiters could potentially be trade bait to acquire a defensive stopper, something the Cavs sorely need, adds the USA Today scribe," according to Hoops Rumors.
Sources indicated the Cavaliers are looking for a solid perimeter defender and a shotblocker to give their defense a boost. The team has previously expressed interest in Timofey Mozgov of the Denver Nuggets, while New York Knicks defensive ace Iman Shumpert and Samuel Dalembert are being considered as potential trade targets as well.
Waiters, who is averaging career-low 9.1 points on 37 percent field goal shooting in 24 minutes of playing time, is still being considered a fine young talent in the market, making it easy for the Cavs to move him at any point before the February 19 trade deadline.
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