The Cleveland Cavaliers are still weighing their options on where to send Brendan Haywood, a seldom used center who carries a hefty $10.5 million contract.
Haywood hardly saw action last year and after the recently concluded NBA Finals. Word already leaked that the 35-year-old 7-footer will likely be on the trading block heading into the 2015-16 NBA season.
To date, Haywood has been mentioned in possible deals with different ballclubs. Among the teams said to be interested in acquiring the 20th overall pick of the 2001 NBA draft include the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and the Portland Trailblazers.
A trade with the Lakers could make sense since the team could dangle Nick Young for Haywood. It is no secret that Young is also on the trading block and if it materializes, the deal could involve other players as well (Ryan Kelly and Robert Sacre).
Young has been far from the same player that allowed him to sign a big $21.5 million four-year deal with the Lakers just last year. He sat out most of last season due to injury and will likely find himself spending more time on the bench with the acquisition of Lou Williams and the expected return of Kobe Bryant.
Meanwhile, the Blazers are looking for someone to fill up the slack created by LaMarcus Aldridge who is now with the San Antonio Spurs. Though both are quite far talent-wise, the fact remains that the Blazers are in need of a big man.
The Sixers can accommodate the salary of Haywood though his entry sparks some questions. Could he be taking up the spot of Joel Embiid who is reportedly out for the 2015-16 NBA season?
With a non-guaranteed contract, that could be the case and the Sixers could do well to utilize the NBA veteran in the middle at least for one season. Then again, the Sixers could eventually waive him as they have been known to do in previous years with other players.
The same case could hold true for the Suns though Phoenix may likely keep and utilize him for their center-position needs.
Summing it all up, it may all depend on which team could be picking up that hefty $10 million salary. Other than that, it is whether to keep or waive him.
Despite the talks and should he be waived, Haywood says he does not plan to retire. If that would be the case, where could he likely be playing next season?
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