NBA trade rumors: champs Cleveland Cavaliers still looking for a trade deal with the 'right player'

Wikimedia Commons/Erik Drost

Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers against Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder

The National Basketball Association (NBA) season is currently cruising its way to 2017 with teams more focused on jelling and reaching their quota of won matches to qualify for the playoffs. However, some squads are still looking to improve their roster via a trade.

The Cleveland Cavaliers may be having a great Christmas season especially with that down the wire win against the Golden State Warriors but that does not mean that they are not shopping around for any good deals. The last second fade-away courtesy of Kyrie Irving lifted his team to a final score of 108 to 109 in a regular season rematch of last season's finals.

Sourcing from USA Today's Sports correspondent Jeff Zillgitt, he claims that the Lebron James-led team is still looking to pounce on a trade to improve and strengthen the team's chances of scoring a back-to-back championship.

"But the Cavs have options. They can make a deal before the trade deadline, and they also have a $9.6 million trade exception to use. Depending on who that player is if they use the trade exception, it would add salary and increase the luxury tax payment. But for the right player, who can help win another championship, the Cavs are willing to make that deal.," he wrote in his column.

Meanwhile, rumor wheelhouse staple Greg Monroe continues to be at the center of speculations as the 26-year-old player is said to be transferring to a new State soon.

Milwaukee Bucks reporter Gery Woelfel tips that the East team is still actively pursuing trade deals for Monroe. "A league executive told me over the weekend the Bucks are still looking to trade veteran center Greg Monroe," he wrote on his website, Woelfel's Press Box. As it turns out, the pro baller is being paid $17.14 million this season but has an opt-out clause in his contract which he can take advantage of. Should that be the case, the Bucks would need to pay him $17.88 million next season.

The Louisiana native seems to have settled well with his role in the team being a called from the bench role player. He averages 17.4 points and 12.7 rebounds per 36 minutes. A career high 2.2 steals average also says a lot given that Monroe is often dubbed a defensive hole in the group.