Lakers guard Jose Calderon is reportedly drawing interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
LeBron James needs a “f–king playmaker,” and when LeBron asks for a “f–king playmaker,” you get him a “f–king playmaker.” The Cavaliers recently held a free agent mini-camp that included Lance Stephenson, Mario Chalmers, Kirk Hinrich and even former Laker Jordan Farmar. Even after the workout, the Cavs are exploring other options to bolster their bench according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.
"Los Angeles Lakers guard Jose Calderon and Dallas Mavericks center Andrew Bogut, league sources tell ESPN.com, have emerged as two players who greatly interest the Cavs in their search for bench help."
Calderon would be a great fit for the Cavs, who need a point guard to backup Kyrie Irving. Adding the Spanish veteran to their bench would easily give Cleveland the two best “35 and older” shooters in the NBA after acquiring Kyle Korver via trade.
According to the same report, however, the Cavs aren’t particularly interested in trading for Calderon. Instead, they’re hoping the Lakers buy him out after the Feb. 23 trade deadline in hopes of picking him up for cheap rather than trying to match his $7.7 million contract.
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The Cavs don’t have too many assets and they are already well over the luxury tax threshold, so picking a veteran guard up through free agency is probably their best bet. They do have a few trade exceptions, including a $4.3 million exception, that would allow them to take in a player without giving up one of their own.
But taking in salary is probably the last thing the Cavs want to do right now. The Lakers would be better off looking around and see what they can get from a team that can actually offer them something for the playmakers on their roster like Calderon and Huertas.
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But what do you guys think? Should the Lakers move on from Calderon? Can they get anything in return for him? Let us know in the comments below.