Deadline Notebook: Cavs take cautious approach with Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Bulls plan to keep Vucevic, Bucks scan market ahead of trade cutoff
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The NBA trade deadline is less than a month away, and three Eastern Conference contenders are approaching it from very different angles.
Cavaliers
Cleveland is pleased with two-way forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin, but the organization is not rushing to convert his deal into a standard contract, according to Cleveland.com. Tomlin has appeared in 41 games, leaving nine before he reaches the 50-game limit for two-way players. The Cavaliers have seven contests remaining before the Feb. 5 deadline, giving the front office time to weigh all options while maintaining cap flexibility.
Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are expected to keep veteran center Nikola Vučević past the deadline, The Stein Line reports. League executives anticipate the 33-year-old will become a popular free-agency target this summer, especially if he is open to a reduced role after spending his career as a full-time starter.
Bucks
Milwaukee’s trade assets are limited, but its books provide room for maneuver. The club sits below the luxury-tax threshold and well under the first apron. The Athletic outlined several hypothetical moves, including packages for Kyle Kuzma, Gary Harris, or Amir Coffey, and even a larger deal that would send Bobby Portis out in a bid for Zach LaVine. No agreements are imminent, yet the Bucks remain a team to monitor as Feb. 5 draws near.
Source: Hoops Wire
