While the Cavs were going back and forth with the surging Boston Celtics on Tuesday night, members of Cleveland's front office were bunkered in, engaged in trade discussions with an eye on the future. Watch video
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Alec Burks slipped on his Cleveland Cavaliers shorts and then put pants over them. Shortly after, he left the locker room, walked down the hallway with a few confidants by his side and eventually got into his car. It could be the last time he drives away from Quicken Loans Arena.
While the Cavs were going back and forth with the surging Boston Celtics on Tuesday night, members of Cleveland's front office were bunkered in, engaged in trade discussions with an eye on the future.
The trade deadline is getting closer and the Cavaliers are running short on candidates. Kyle Korver and George Hill, two of the team's most attractive veterans heading into the season, have already been shipped out. Rodney Hood is in Portland, officially sent to the Western Conference contender on Monday.
That leaves Burks as the Cavs' most valuable trade chip, his name shifting to the epicenter of the team's rumor mill since Hood's departure.
"I don't believe in rumors until something happens," Burks said following the 103-96 loss against Boston. "If nothing happens then I'm not going nowhere. If something happens it happens. I enjoy my time here and hopefully it keeps going."
For now, Burks remains in Cleveland. But for how long?
He has played well and numerous members of the organization have talked about what a great person and player he is. Players in the locker room want him to stick. Head coach Larry Drew called him a joy to coach.
Burks is averaging double figures for the first time since 2015-16 and is just 27, so theoretically he aligns with Cleveland's long-term vision. But Burks' expiring contract worth $11.5 million makes him a valuable trade asset, perhaps too valuable to keep if they find the right deal.
All signs point to the Cavs hoping to acquire another first-round pick before Thursday. In a handful of trades, they've added one of those and six second-rounders, accomplishing their goal of restocking their treasure chest after emptying it during a four-year stretch that led to four consecutive Finals trips.
A tax team, currently outside the playoff picture (Detroit as one example), could look to move a bulky salary, attaching a first-round pick as a sweetener. Maybe there's a playoff squad looking for an extra scoring boost that's willing to part with a late first-rounder that won't have as much value to them, but could be worth it for Cleveland.
The Houston Rockets have been seeking help on the wing. What about them getting out from under Brandon Knight's hefty $30 million dollars over the next two years and tossing in a late first-rounder? League sources told cleveland.com that is one deal being discussed.
San Antonio owes Pau Gasol more than $32 million over the next two years and has an extra 2019 first-rounder from the Kawhi Leonard-DeMar DeRozan deal. According to sources, the Spurs looked into a swap for Hood before he was sent to Portland. The Spurs also have interest in Burks. In this deal, the Cavs would have to add more salary filler to make it legal.
If Tuesday was Burks' final game in the wine and gold, he certainly went out on a high note. If it was his final audition for the other 29 teams, he should take a bow.
Burks scored 21 points, his second-most with the Cavaliers since arriving in a trade from Utah on Nov. 28. He added four rebounds, two assists and two steals, showing the versatility at both ends of the floor that makes him appealing.
Over his last six games, Burks is averaging 13.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 32.3 minutes. Talk about blocking out the noise.
"I don't listen to it. It's other people that talk about it. I don't hear it," Burks said. "If I don't hear it then how am I going to know about?"
Drew said he hasn't felt the need to discuss Thursday's trade deadline with his guys. They are all professionals who understand the business side, especially with a rebuilding organization. On this team, with these struggles, no one is "untouchable." Perhaps the closest player to that designation is rookie Collin Sexton, who had one of his best games in months against the Celtics.
Of the guys in the locker room, only four (Sexton, Tristan Thompson, Deng Adel and David Nwaba) have not been involved in a trade.
"I try not to get caught up into that," Drew said recently. "I approach each day at a time. I've been in this thing too long to the point where I allow myself to get caught up in it as a coach. You're aware of what possibilities may come up, but me personally, I try to take one day at a time. Keep coaching the players I have and just wait for this thing to pass by."
Either way, Burks' future is murky -- even if he doesn't want to hear it. Not from reporters. Nor from his agent. Burks, who has already been traded once, has asked his reps to keep him out of the loop on any chatter.
"Unless he's telling me to get on a flight," Burks said. "That's all I want to know."
On Thursday afternoon, the Cavaliers' team plane will board for Washington D.C. -- with or without Burks. That becomes the latest question, with the trade deadline buzzer set to sound at 3 p.m. Thursday.