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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Jan 4, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) defends Los Angeles Clippers guard Raymond Felton (2) in the second half at Staples Center. The Clippers won 115-106. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) defends Los Angeles Clippers guard Raymond Felton (2) in the second half at Staples Center. The Clippers won 115-106. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Raymond Felton

Point Guard, Los Angeles Clippers

James and the Cavaliers will have to be patient, but help could be on the way in the former of point guard Raymond Felton should Cleveland make a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. This is all contingent on hopefully a quick return from star point guard Chris Paul.

Felton is tremendously valuable for the Clippers currently. He and Austin Rivers are the primary ball handlers for the Clippers heading into late winter. However when Paul returns, Felton’s minutes will evaporate. Rivers has become a strong NBA backup and Felton is past his prime.

That being said, Cleveland misses former backup point guard Matthew Dellavedova terribly. He played too well for Cleveland to keep him in town at his going rate. Dellavedova now plays for the division rival Milwaukee Bucks. Outside of James and Irving, who do the Cavaliers have handling the basketball?

Felton is a professional that could alleviate the ball handling burden James has to carry in Cleveland. This will allow him to create off the ball and exploit more mismatches on offense. Upgrading the backup point guard position is a painfully obvious need for the Cavaliers. Felton is about to hit free agency.

Why not send Doc Rivers a player that was really good five years ago? He loves players that were great when he was in Boston. Shumpert could entice Rivers to part ways with Felton on the cheap, or maybe a young point guard prospect like Felder.