NBA Trade Deadline: 3 players the Cleveland Cavaliers should keep out of trade talks
LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers for a second time in the summer of 2018, however, unlike back in 2010, the Cavs were confident that they could remain contenders in the East. After all, the team was coming off of four consecutive NBA Finals appearances, and in the aftermath of James' departure, the Cavs successfully managed to convince Kevin Love to sign a new four-year $120 million extension.
In addition to retaining their 5-time All-Star, the team also drafted an exciting rookie in Collin Sexton, however, the Cavs season has quickly turned into a disaster. Head coach Tyronn Lue was fired after Cleveland started the season with a 0-6 record, and since the change of coach, the Cavs' plight has only gotten worse.
At the midway point of the season, the Cavaliers have a record of 9-35, which is currently the worst in the entire NBA. Nevertheless, there have still been a few bright spots in a dark season for the Cavaliers, and here we will look at three players that the team should keep out of trade talks as we approach the February deadline.
#3 Cedi Osman
Cedi Osman was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 31st overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft, although his rights were quickly traded to the Cavaliers, although Osman didn't his breakthrough with the team until the 17-18 season. Last season, the 23-year-old played in 61 games, averaging 11.0 minutes per night, although Osman has this year assumed a larger role thanks to a depleted Cavs roster.
So far this season, Osman has started 41 times for Cleveland and is currently averaging 11.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. The small forward is locked into a contract until 2020, and the Cavs should continue to play Osman, as the forward has shown flashes of brilliance, and still has plenty of time to get better.