5 Defensive Stoppers Cavs Should Look to Target Before Trade Deadline

4. Nerlens Noel

Once a highly-touted youngster who seemed to have a bright future, the Mavs big man was barely seeing the court even before he had had to have surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb back in December. Still, at only 23 years old, there is a lot of time for the former sixth overall draft pick to turn things around.

In his first two years in the NBA, Noel nearly average a double-double with 10.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. His production has regressed in all three seasons since then, but so too have his opportunities.

His deal is set to expire at the end of this season so regardless of whether or not he is traded, his days in Dallas are most likely numbered. The Cavs could give him a shot to prove his worth on a contender, and would likely be able to acquire him by trading away Shumpert and a future second-round draft pick. Noel could fall flat in Cleveland, proving his status as a bust. If he were able to return to his early-career form, however, he could prove to be quite a steal for the Cavs.

Next: DeAndre Jordan