5 Players who might replace P.J. Tucker before the trade deadline
By Tyler Watts
3. Georges Niang
The Minivan was a teammate of James Harden's in Philadelphia where he had the two best seasons of his career. The 6’7 forward is an elite shooter and undersized big man who can play 15 to 25 minutes per game off the bench for a contender.
The Cavaliers are 13-12 to begin the season and stuck in the middle of the Eastern Conference. It is still early, but the injuries to Darius Garland and Evan Mobley may change their future. It is now or never for this roster. Donovan Mitchell can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025, and Cleveland cannot afford to let him get there. They will look to move on if he is unwilling to sign an extension next summer.
Can the Cavaliers contend for a championship with an undersized backcourt and Evan Mobley playing next to Jarrett Allen in the frontcourt? They may need to reshape their roster around one guard and Mobley at the five. That means trading two former All-Stars and completely retooling their supporting cast.
P.J. Tucker would be a strong fit next to Evan Mobley as he can defend multiple positions and would give the 22-year-old additional offensive opportunities. It would cost the Cavaliers Niang, who just signed a three-year deal worth $25.5 million, but that is the price to land Tucker.