Oftentimes, teams improve themselves at the trade deadline. That was anything but the case for the Cavaliers.
They have an eye on the future, which is why they wanted a second first-round pick so desperately. They were forced to give up backup point guard Ramon Sessions in the five-player trade with the Los Angeles Lakers last Thursday.
The problem with that trade was they didn't have another player on the roster who was a pure point guard. They had Daniel Gibson waiting in the wings, but he's a combo guard. Yes, he can give you minutes at point guard, but he's a more natural shooting guard.
They signed D-League point guard Donald Sloan last Friday, and he was pressed into action on Monday at the Prudential Center. He scored 11 points, had three rebounds and one assist in the Cavs' 105-100 win over New Jersey.
Gibson suffered an ankle injury in the second half and had X-rays. He didn't return.
When starter Kyrie Irving got in foul trouble -- he ended with five personal fouls -- Sloan was needed. Adding more suspense is the fact that guard Manny Harris was mysteriously inactive on Monday, even though the Cavs had two players already not playing -- center Anderson Varejao (fractured wrist) and forward Luke Harangody (on assignment in D-League).
Sloan stepped in and played 20 minutes in his Cavs' debut. He made 4-of-6 shots, including a three-pointer. If he plays like that, he'll earn more playing time.
NOTES, QUOTES
Thompson shines in second game as starter
--C Tristan Thompson certainly made up for a so-so debut in the starting lineup. In his first game as the starting center on Sunday against Atlanta, he finished with seven points and six rebounds. He was fantastic against New Jersey on Monday with a career-high 27 points, 12 rebounds (eight offensive) and a block. He was 12-of-16 from the field, several on dunks.
--All of a sudden, F Antawn Jamison can't make a shot. In his last three games, he's shooting 26.3 percent from the field (15 of 57). His scoring has dipped to 14.3 points in the last three games. On the season, Jamison is averaging 18.3 points and is shooting 41.2 percent from the floor.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I got the call from (Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak) saying, 'Sorry, but it's been done.' I had 48 hours to get on a plane and get to Cleveland. I'm definitely excited about it. I had a great run in L.A. I was there 8-1/2 years. It's a chance to do something new. We have a great young team here." -- Cavs F Luke Walton, on coming to Cleveland.
ROSTER REPORT
PLAYER NOTES:
--Cavs coach Byron Scott said he has no intention of shutting down C Anderson Varejao for the rest of the season. Scott said the 6-11, 260-pound center will have his fractured right wrist examined sometime this week. "I don't think (sitting him out for the year) is a possibility, to be honest with you," Scott said. "I think he'll definitely play at some point in this season." Varejao fractured his right wrist on Feb. 10. He's missed the last 18 games, including Monday's contest against New Jersey.
--The Cavs signed G Manny Harris for the rest of this season, and all of next year. Next year's deal is not guaranteed. He's also agreed to go to summer league with the Cavs. When he was let go by the Cavs after his second 10-day contract last week, the Cavs said there was a good chance he could return. "I had a little idea I'd be back," Harris said. "Obviously, they have faith in me and believe in me or they wouldn't have brought me back in the first place. I liked this organization. I'm comfortable here." The 6-5, 185-pound Harris has played just 20 minutes for the Cavs this season. He's hoping to get a legitimate shot this time. "I'm hoping I could get some (playing time)," he said. "If not, I'm going to do the same thing: Be supportive and help this team out."
--G Kyrie Irving said he first met G Donald Sloan when he visited College Station, Tex., on a recruiting trip coming out of high school. "What's funny about Donald is when I went on my Texas A&M visit my senior year of high school, he was a senior at Texas A&M," Irving said. "Having him here and both being in the NBA together will be a really good thing for us." He said he gave A&M consideration before picking Duke.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--C Anderson Varejao (broken right wrist) was injured in the Milwaukee game on Feb. 10. He'll miss at least six weeks.
