NBA Rumors: Cavaliers Targeting Tayshaun Prince?

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The Cavaliers have been linked to a number of veteran small forwards since the start of the 2014-15 season including Corey Brewer, Andrei Kirilenko and now Tayshaun Prince.

This is an interesting rumor, as Prince has significantly declined in recent years to the point that he has fallen out of the Memphis Grizzlies’ rotation at times.

This could just be Cleveland weighing all of their options and seeing which players are realistically attainable. It’s no secret that Memphis has been open to a Prince trade in recent years, especially since he’s making $7,707,865. The fact that he’s in the final year of his contract should make him easier to trade, since he’ll come off of the books this summer. Unfortunately for the Cavs, Prince’s salary is too large to be acquired using their $5,285,816 traded-player exception.

Prince is coming off of his best game of the 2014-15 season, one in which he contributed 20 points (on 8-11 shooting) as well as five rebounds, two assists and a block in a loss against the San Antonio Spurs. But the fact that he has been inconsistent and, at times, really struggled at 34 years old has led to his diminished role.

Prince is now in his 13th NBA season, so he does have plenty of experience. He won a championship in 2004 with the Detroit Pistons and has been on many deep postseason runs, which could make him more valuable to the young Cavaliers.

Cleveland has been linked to a lot of players, but nothing seems imminent at the moment. The Cavaliers are a team to watch over the next two months as the trade deadline approaches, since it certainly seems like they’re having plenty of trade discussions.

The Utah Jazz are the third team to be linked to Kirilenko, after the L.A. Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers were also mentioned as potential suitors for the veteran forward in prior reports.

Kirilenko spent 10 years in Utah before moving on for stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets, and both parties could be open to a reunion.

It seems likely that Kirilenko will be leaving the Nets soon, either through a trade or buyout. Kirilenko fell out of Lionel Hollins’ rotation, playing in just seven games this season for a total of 36 minutes. He was recently excused from the team while he deals with a family matter, and numerous reports have suggested that he has likely played his last game for the Nets.

The 33-year-old is in the final year of his contract and is being paid $3,326,235 this season.

This is his 13th season in the NBA, and he has career averages of 11.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals.

This deal could be good for Utah, since Murry and Evans haven’t been contributors this season. If this trade were to be agreed upon, it couldn’t be completed until Dec. 15 since Murray was signed by the Jazz in August and the 15th is the first day players signed last offseason can be dealt.

Lee, who is a 24-year-old shooting guard, is the ninth D-League call-up of the 2014-15 NBA season.

He played for the Sixers during the preseason and continued his solid play for the 76ers’ D-League affiliate. He must have impressed GM Sam Hinkie and his staff after appearing in four games with three starts for the Sevens this season.

Lee was originally the 43rd overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft following his junior season at UCLA.

He has played two seasons in the NBA (2011-12 and 2012-13), both with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Over the course of his NBA career, he has appeared in 35 games and averaged four points.

In order to make room on the roster for Lee, the Sixers waived Drew Gordon.