NBA Trade Deadline 2018: 5 teams that should be buying at the deadline

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

In the midst of their annual midseason tailspin, the Cleveland Cavaliers are in desperate need of a roster shakeup.

Since their Christmas Day loss to the Golden State Warriors, the Cavaliers are 5-11, as their schedule stiffened with road tests against the likes of the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers. Making matters worse, All-Star big man Kevin Love suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left hand Tuesday that likely will sideline him for at least six weeks, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.

The specter of LeBron James’ imminent date with free agency looms over the Cavaliers franchise heading into the trade deadline, as they aren’t inclined to flip the Brooklyn Nets’ unprotected 2018 first-round pick without assurances James will remain in Cleveland beyond this year. However, the Cavs are reportedly “open to taking on contract money, something they seemed closed to doing a few months ago,” Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reported  in late January, prior to Love’s injury.

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While it isn’t entirely clear who’s calling the shots in Cleveland these days, according to Bleacher Report’s Ken Berger, the Cavaliers front office must be aware that their roster as it currently stands may not even make it out of the Eastern Conference playoff bracket. It’s likely a matter of when, not if, the Cavaliers shake up their core with a trade in the coming days.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com or Basketball-Reference.com and are current heading into Wednesday, Jan. 31. All contract information via Spotrac or Basketball Insiders.