5 Defensive Stoppers Cavs Should Look to Target Before Trade Deadline

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3. Tony Allen

Tony Allen Pelicans

While the defensive-minded guard is currently recovering from a non-displaced left proximal fibula fracture, his return seems imminent. Once he does return, he will once again be considered one of the top veteran defensive specialists in the league.

Allen is getting up there in age, and he may no longer be considered the same lockdown defender that he was several years ago. He still earned a spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team last season, however, and is still the kind of the leader that can demand more defensive effort out of his teammates.

He is certainly not an asset on offense, but with a plethora of scorers on both the first and second units, the Cavs would be able to make up for his lack of scoring.

Allen is not a highly coveted asset at this point in his career, so bringing him to Cleveland would likely not be too difficult. The Cavs could send Derrick Rose to New Orleans in return for Allen, and trade an oft-injured player who struggles mightily on the defensive end for an older player who excels there.

Next: Nerlens Noel

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Jonathan is a freelance writer, filmmaker, and passionate fan of the NBA. In the past Jonathan has covered politics, entertainment, travel, and more. He is a proud contributor of Cavaliers Nation.