Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters could be traded before the NBA trade deadline in February with reports indicating that the former Syracuse standout could be dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers, especially if Ray Allen signs with the Cavs later in the season.
The Cavaliers are considered as one of the title favorites this season, but are struggling to get into the groove. While the new season is just heating up, Bradford Doolittle of ESPN believes that Cleveland would consider trading Waiters.
"It's far too premature to call for a shake-up of the Cavs. But if one must happen eventually, Waiters is probably going to be the odd man out," Doolittle wrote. "And that's going to be good news for some other team."
Waiters' point production is down from 15.9 points to 9.4 this year mainly because of his reduced role with the arrival of LeBron James and Kevin Love. The 22-year-old guard was relegated to a sixth-man role after starting in their first three games this season, creating speculation that Cleveland will eventually part ways with Waiters.
Doolittle pointed out that the Cavaliers tried to trade the third-year guard during the offseason, but they failed to find a trade partner. Reports suggested that Waiters could be dealt mainly because of chemistry issues, with analysts labeling the former fourth overall pick as a time bomb that is waiting to explode.
"Given the chemistry issues on the Cavs, the defensive holes on the roster and the long-term payroll structure Cleveland will have to create, Waiters' name is going to keep getting floated," Doolittle wrote. "According to sources, the Cavs shopped Waiters in August to nearly every team with no takers. That could change."
Should the Cavaliers decide to shop Waiters again before the deadline, the 76ers could be the likely landing spot. Doolittle pointed out that Waiters will be a great addition to the young team that is building the team around Michael Carter-Williams, Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid.
Zachary Arthur of Bleacher Report is also convinced that Waiters will be headed home to Philadelphia. Aside from the fact that the 76ers have the cap space to make room for Waiters, the Cavaliers are also expected to be intrigued by Philadelphia's future draft picks.
"Philadelphia has two first-round picks, one of which is protected, in the 2015 draft," Arthur wrote. "If general manager Sam Hinkie believes that Waiters is worth one of those picks on top of a player or two on the roster, then it would give the Cavaliers something to think about."
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