With just over two weeks to go until the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 8, a number of contending teams are looking to add that one piece that could give them a chance to get to the Finals.
Here in Chicago, we know John Paxson and Gar Forman have been burning up the phone lines for weeks, trying to find out if any team is willing to offer a first round draft pick for Niko Mirotic or Robin Lopez. Justin Holiday, Jerian Grant and Denzel Valentine also could be available for the right price. After all, it’s Year 1 of the rebuild, and the Bulls are trying to put together a roster that can eventually challenge for a championship, not merely compete for a seventh or eighth seed next season.
Meanwhile, the three-time defending Eastern Conference champion Cavs are going through their annual mid-season slump, but this time their defensive issues might be beyond repair with the current roster. The Cavs have been rumored to be in pursuit of veteran help, including the Clippers’ duo of DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams. Problem is, Cavs rookie GM Koby Altman doesn’t have a lot to offer in return beyond that unprotected first-round Brooklyn pick acquired in the Kyrie Irving deal last summer.
Will the Cavs deal a potential Top 3 pick to get LeBron James the help he needs to make an eighth straight trip to the Finals? We’ll all find out over the next two and a half weeks.