The Cleveland Cavaliers have been trying to trade Brendan Haywood’s contract for weeks. They may have finally found a suitor.
Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reports that the Cavaliers are interested in trading Haywood to the Portland Trail Blazers. In this trade scenario, the Cavs would get a trade exception that could be used during the season to acquire a player. The Blazers would likely be compensated with a draft pick and waive Haywood for free before his contract becomes guaranteed.
If Portland agrees, they get a draft pick and simply waive Haywood, so it costs them nothing – but Cavs get a year to use the TPE.
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) July 19, 2015
The deal would be beneficial for the Cavaliers as they could add to their depth at midseason by using the trade exception. Considering a large reason why the Cavs were able to make a run to the NBA Finals last season was due to a midseason trade that netted them J.R. Smith, Timofey Mozgov and Iman Shumpert.
The trade exception next season could be the difference between a championship or just another deep playoff run.
Haywood’s $10.5 million contract becomes guaranteed if he’s not waived by August 2.
