Fansided

5 trades the Cleveland Cavaliers can make to satisfy LeBron James

By John Buhler

Jan 23, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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LeBron James was not happy after the Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the New Orleans Pelicans. Here are five trades Cleveland can make to appease James.

The Cleveland Cavaliers remain the top team in the Eastern Conference, but it has not been smooth sailing for the reigning NBA Champions. Cleveland has gone a mediocre 11-9 away from Quicken Loans Arena for a supposed juggernaut basketball team.

Star forward LeBron James was quick to point out how weak his team’s bench was after the Cavaliers lost to the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night, 124-122. James stated that he, point guard Kyrie Irving and power forward Kevin Love are carrying this team and that the Cavs could use some depth and shot creation.

It’s going to be tough for the Cavaliers to appease James with a blockbuster trade this winter. However, there are a few minor trades that could alleviated James’ burden heading into the trade deadline. Here are five deals that Cavaliers front office should consider making.

5

Mike Miller

Small Forward, Denver Nuggets

Everybody’s favorite trade partner heading into the 2017 deadline has to be Tim Connelly’s Denver Nuggets. Connelly has stockpiled assets out the wazoo and unlike what Danny Ainge has with the Boston Celtics, people actually want the groceries Connelly has carefully purchased.

Despite being well below .500, the Nuggets are one of a few teams in the Western Conference pushing for the No. 8 seed. Making the Western Conference Playoffs would actually serve Michael Malone’s team. Getting obliterated by the Golden State Warriors would hurt, but the four-game playoff experience would be huge for this young corps.

While he may be cool with playing on this young team in Denver, let’s be real: small forward Mike Miller misses his boy LeBron. They won championships together with the Miami Heat. He’s not the player he once was, but Cleveland could certainly use a locker room presence off the bench in Miller as an 11th to 12th-man in the rotation.

Cleveland may not have enough to entice the Nuggets for a serious trade offer. Maybe a shooter like an Iman Shumpert could intrigue Connelly to put together a package with Miller in it? If not, Cleveland can send the Nuggets point guard Kay Felder? Should that fail, maybe send Connelly somebody else’s draft picks through a third party. Connelly does love draft picks, but James loves Miller more.