Fansided

Each NBA team’s 2020 New Year’s resolution

By Gerald Bourguet

MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during a game on December 19, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images).
MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during a game on December 19, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images). /
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Cleveland Cavaliers: Trade the vets

Jordan Clarkson is just the latest example of the Cleveland Cavaliers doing what smart rebuilding teams should do and dumping expiring veterans for young talent and future draft compensation. Approaching the 2020 NBA Trade Deadline, however, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson should be at the top of that list of expendables.

Thompson is the easier option to trade, given that he’s on an expiring contract, is having a career year (12.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game) and that his $18.5 million contract wouldn’t be impossible to move. Moving him is the least the Cavs could do to capitalize on the value of a guy who won’t be on the roster next season either way.

However, cashing in on having Kevin Love on a long-term deal should be high up on the priority list as well. His age, injury history and contract length will make it more difficult to find a suitor for his $28.9 million salary, but he’s still a very good player who may be a more attractive option than usual thanks to an underwhelming free agency class this summer. Trading one or both of these vets is easily Cleveland’s biggest NYE resolution.

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