NBA Trade Deadline 2012: Cavaliers Have Assets To Sell

The Cleveland Cavaliers have had a surprisingly good season considering how awful the club was a year ago, and much of that can be attributed to rookie Kyrie Irving's incredible production. As a result of Irving's quick ability to become comfortable in the NBA, Ramon Sessions has become expendable. Given the premium put on able point guards who can play at pace, Sessions is Cleveland's hottest name in the rumor mill this March.

Long term, the Cavaliers need a wing. Omri Casspi, acquired for J.J. Hickson after the 2011 NBA Draft, has been a disappointment and may not last in the NBA if he doesn't turn it around in 2012-13, the final year of his rookie deal. The Cavaliers had expected to have a shot at one of college ball's best wings (Harrison Barnes, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist) in the 2012 NBA Draft, but Cleveland's simply been too good. It'd need another lottery miracle to pick high enough to grab a prospect of that caliber. (The Cavs had the top shot at the No. 1 pick in 2011, but actually landed it with the L.A. Clippers' pick, which was No. 7 in lotto rankings.)

The Cavs have Tristan Thompson in the pipeline up front, but could use a second big man, as well. Thompson could end up at either frontcourt position, so the only position that looks off-limits in terms of trade acquisitions is point guard.

The Cavaliers are said to be looking for a first-round draft pick in exchange for Sessions, which seems fair given that the teams targeting the point guard will be picking toward the back end. The Lakers have been and will continue to be a top rumored target for this asset.

Antawn Jamison is the other wild card in all of this. Jamison has been a consummate professional in Cleveland, even though his contract ends this season and he's nearing the end of his career. If a team is willing to give up an asset to take on Jamison's contract for the stretch run, the Cavs should listen. That his salary is $15 million could make that impossible.