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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Jan 23, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Terrence Jones (9) reacts during the fourth quarter of a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Cavaliers 124-122. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Terrence Jones (9) reacts during the fourth quarter of a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Cavaliers 124-122. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
1

Terrence Jones

Power Forward, New Orleans Pelicans

While a point guard upgrade could appease James’ needs, what he really wants is another player that can do a lot of things in the front court. One guy that he and the Cavaliers could have their eye on is New Orleans Pelicans power forward Terrence Jones.

Jones played an outstanding game against Cleveland on Monday night. It was the type of performance that could stick with James for a while. Jones exposed inefficiencies in the Cavaliers frontcourt defense. He might be that young player that James would want to have in his supporting cast.

After being a star collegiately at Kentucky, Jones is playing on a one-year deal with the Pelicans in his fifth NBA season. Complacency isn’t something that will get in the way with Jones’ climb to being a better ball player.

Next: NBA: 2000s All-Decade First Team

Frankly, Jones is deserving of more playing time than he is getting in New Orleans. This has a lot to do with Jones playing the same position as superstar power forward Anthony Davis. Cleveland doesn’t have a ton of trade assets, but shooters are something the Pelicans need desperately. It’s the same guys being put on the trading block, someone like Shumpert or Channing Frye could be what it would take to get Jones out of the Big Easy and into Cleveland for the playoff push.