Cleveland Cavaliers May Back Out Of Howard Trade Fiasco

Alex Kennedy, an NBA reporter for HOOPSWORLD, reports that the Cavaliers may back out of the three-team trade with the Brooklyn Nets and the Orlando Magic as NBA sources have said that the Cavaliers are having second thoughts. Cleveland could possibly want to prevent the Brooklyn Nets from compiling an NBA All-Star team in the Eastern Conference. Maybe feelings of LeBron James leaving town for South Beach are resurfacing in Cleveland’s front office.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Charlotte Bobcats are two teams that could possibly take Cleveland’s spot in the proposed three or four-team trade. If the Cavaliers back out they would prevent a trade of the following:

Orlando Magic — would receive Brook Lopez, Damion James, Shelden Williams, Armon Johnson and three future first-round from the Nets, Luke Walton from the Cavaliers and a first-round draft pick from the Los Angeles Clippers, who could also be involved in the trade

Brooklyn Nets — would receive Dwight Howard, Jason Richardson and Earl Clark from the Orlando Magic

Los Angeles Clippers — would receive MarShon Brooks from the Brooklyn Nets

Cleveland Cavaliers — would receive Quentin Richardson from the Orlando Magic, Kris Humphries (on a one-year guaranteed deal), Sundiata Gaines, a first-round pick and $3 million from the Brooklyn Nets

Here’s how the three players the Cavaliers would receiver faired in the 2011-12 season:

Quentin Richardson — averaged 4.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 18.0 minutes, shot 37.6 percent from the field and 34.7 percent from three. Richardson is a 12-year veteran and he is on the downside of his career, so he obviously won’t be asked to be the starting small forward for the Cavaliers. Richardson would basically be dumped off to the Cavaliers by the Magic to make the trade happen. I don’t see him playing a big role at all in Wine and Gold, and will most likely be let go at the end of next season. He just doesn’t have it left in him anymore.

Kris Humphries — averaged 13.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, shot 48.1 percent from the field and  played and started in 62 games. I think if the Cavaliers make the reach and agree to the four-team deal, they may want to ask for more draft picks. If not Cleveland could accept the trade as it is laid out above and put Humphries on the trading block. If not that the Cavs have a great starting power forward in Humphries, who is coming off the best season of his career.

Sundiata Gaines — averaged 5.1 points, 2.2 assists, 1.1 rebounds, 1.0 steals, shot 37.6 percent from the field, 34.1 percent from three and clocked in 13.9 minutes per game. Gaines, who plays the guard position, could provide relief for the Cavaliers at the two guard or be a reliable backup to Kyrie Irving. Gaines played in 57 games this season, beating out his total from the two previous seasons by one.

It is not yet known if the Cavaliers have totally cut off trade talks with the Magic and Nets, but big things are about to happen within the next day. Plan for a trade to happen soon, with our without the Cavaliers. The Magic are trying to build new, and they don’t want someone on board who has asked to be thrown off.

Keep visiting Right Down Euclid for more information on the Howard trade talks