BOSTON: The unofficial start to the NBA’s trade season began Tuesday, the first day a majority of the players signed to contracts last summer are available to be dealt. Although the pool of candidates just grew significantly, it isn’t expected to impact the Cavaliers.
Their first big decision is still more than three weeks away when Jared Cunningham’s contract becomes fully guaranteed on Jan. 10. Since he technically has to clear waivers by then, the key date a decision on Cunningham must be rendered is Jan. 8.
Cunningham has certainly performed well enough to keep his spot, but keeping Cunningham will likely mean the end of Joe Harris’ time in Cleveland.
The Cavs have made Harris available, one league source said, while showcasing him in the Development League. Harris is averaging 17.6 points for the Canton Charge, but is shooting 31 percent on 3-pointers. He is shooting just 28 percent from 3 in his last five games with the Charge.
The difference between Harris’ contract and Cunningham’s is negligible, but Cunningham’s is non-guaranteed and Harris’ is guaranteed. Moving Harris will ease the Cavs’ lofty tax bill nearly as much as Cunningham would, making it easier to keep him while also opening a valuable roster spot for later in the season in case another veteran is bought out or the Cavs decide to use any of their trade exceptions.
Since the trade deadline is more than a month after the contract guarantee date, it’s a bit of a risk for the Cavs to keep Cunningham if they haven’t yet dealt Harris.
Conversely, he is only 24 and making less than $1 million. A team obtaining him would hold a team option for next season (also for less than $1 million), meaning he is owed no guaranteed money beyond this season and shouldn’t be hard to trade at the deadline, even if it’s for a paper second-round pick the Cavs will never actually see in a money dump.
They haven’t explored that option, however, and would like to recoup a second rounder for Harris considering they realistically won’t have one until 2019 — and it’s their only one until 2021.
Hard feelings?
After a rugged playoff series last season that featured a dislocated shoulder, a sprained ACL, an ejection and two suspensions, the Cavaliers returned to TD Garden on Tuesday expecting more physical play.
“I think that’s fair to expect,” coach David Blatt said.
Kevin Love’s season ended in this building when Kelly Olynyk dislocated his shoulder while fighting for a rebound. While Love called it a dirty play the day it happened, he said Tuesday he harbors no hard feelings over it.
“Time heals all wounds,” he said. “We’ve put it in the past. … We’re moving on. We’re good.”
Celtics coach Brad Stevens defended Olynyk on Tuesday and said he’s not a dirty player.
“Knowing Kelly, being around Kelly every day, he didn’t intend to hurt Love,” Stevens said. “I think that both teams take great pride in competing and playing the game the right way and well. And hopefully you don’t have anything like that coming out of any game.
But basketball is a physical game when played well.”
Jae Crowder told Boston reporters this week he wanted an apology from J.R. Smith for the punch in Game 4 that caused Crowder to fall awkwardly and injure his knee.
Crowder did not need surgery on the knee, but he had to rehab it. Smith, meanwhile, was ejected and suspended for two playoff games. Olynyk received a one-game suspension for yanking Love’s arm.
It’s all part of the deal when teams play in Boston, LeBron James said.
“If there’s no emotion then something is going on. Something is going on in the air and it has nothing to do with the players, the referees, the fans,” he said. “It’s just part of it. Boston always has emotion, from everyone, so we expect it.”
Dribbles
• Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas is the only player in the league averaging at least 20 points, six assists and less than three turnovers.
• The Cavs entered Tuesday 7-0 this season when shooting at least 50 percent.
• James began the night averaging 29.9 points in his career against the Celtics, his highest mark against any team in the league.
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Cavs blog at www.ohio.com/cavs. Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/JasonLloydABJ.