Cleveland Cavaliers rumors: Cavs interested in Hasheem Thabeet?

Mar 9, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Hasheem Thabeet (34) dunks against Los Angeles Lakers small forward Wesley Johnson (11) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Hasheem Thabeet (34) dunks against Los Angeles Lakers small forward Wesley Johnson (11) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Now that the Cleveland Cavaliers have assembled a legitimate championship contender, they need a few more pieces, including a legitimate big man to protect the rim. They have been tied to the likes of Greg Oden, Emeka Okafor and Ekpe Udoh thus far but all of those players have injury concerns or other question marks.

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Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors wonders if they might make a run at Oklahoma City Thunder big man Hasheem Thabeet.

"Well, it’s obvious they consider it a priority, since they reportedly offered a first-round pick for Mozgov. They would have had to give up salary in that transaction to make it work, too. I wonder if they might give OKC a call about Hasheem Thabeet. He’d be cheaper to come by, and if there’s a way to make it work as a money-saving deal for the Thunder, Sam Presti just might do it."

Thabeet was once a very highly-touted NBA prospect and the Memphis Grizzlies took the former Connecticut Huskies’ center with the number two overall pick in the first round of the 2009 draft. He has also played for the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers.

He appeared in 23 games for the Thunder last season, averaging 1.2 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.4 blocks per game while shooting 56.5% from the field and 20.0% from the free throw line. In his five-year NBA career, he’s put up 2.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 56.7% from the field and 57.8% from the free throw line. Thabeet is still just 27 years old.

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