NBA Rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers interested in Tim Hardaway Jr., team believes player is available

Tim Hardaway Jr. is averaging 13.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.1 blocks while shooting 38.7% from the field, 36.2% from the 3-point range, and 78.9% from the free-throw line. The Dallas Mavericks guard is in the second year of a four-year, $75 million contract extension signed in the summer of 2021.

Speaking on the Please Don't Aggregate This podcast, Cleveland Cavaliers insider Chris Fedor reckons Hardaway Jr. may become available, and if he does, he could be a priority target for the Cavaliers. He said:

“The Cavs believe this player is available, and my sources tell me that he could be had. It’s again at the right price, and it’s a little bit tricky because he’s on a team that’s fourth place currently in the Western Conference. Tim Hardaway Jr. is somebody that the Cavs have been watching, and they’ve been keeping an eye on."

Fedor added that Hardaway Jr. could be the Cavaliers' top target, noting:

"I think if the Cavs have their choice, it would be very, very close, and they’re not going to have their choice. It doesn’t work that way, but if they had their choice, it would be between Bojan (Bogdanovic) and Tim Hardaway Jr.”

It's unclear if the Cavaliers will be able to acquire Hardaway Jr. as the Mavericks are looking to contend. However, the situation is worth monitoring with the trade deadline only a month away.

Listen to Chris Fedor discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers targeting Hardaway Jr. below (starting at the 23:15 mark):

Would Dallas Mavericks trade Tim Hardaway Jr. to Cleveland Cavaliers?

Tim Hardaway Jr. is an important piece for the Dallas Mavericks, as he's a starter who averages 28.5 minutes per game.

However, it appears that he could be available. While a trade would help the Mavericks create future salary cap flexibility, Dallas is fresh off of a trip to the Western Conference Finals and looking to contend; they're currently fourth in the conference.

It's quite possible that the Mavericks could be open to trading the 24th overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft, but the Cavaliers don't appear to be a viable trade partner. Trading Caris LeVert for Hardaway Jr. would work financially if the Mavericks are willing to make a deal primarily focused on creating salary cap flexibility.

However, Dallas will likely look to improve their roster in any Hardaway Jr. trade. If that's the case, they will likely look to include Hardaway Jr. as part of a bigger trade package.

Watch Tim Hardaway Jr. score a career-high 42 points below: