Report: Cavs Interested in Rondo, Nelson, Williams as Backup Point Guard Options

According to NBA reporter Mitch Lawrence of Forbes.com, the Cleveland Cavaliers are interested in adding either Jameer Nelson, Rajon Rondo, or Deron Williams to serve as Kyrie Irving’s backup.

Here’s an excerpt from the report:

For their thin backcourt, the Cavs have been looking to add Denver’s Jameer Nelson, Chicago’s Rajon Rondo or Dallas’ Deron Williams. Any of the three could help the Cavs.

Nelson now is serving as Emmanuel Mudiay’s mentor, but could be dealt for the right price. Rondo, every coach’s nightmare, is on the outs in Chicago and in a backup role since being demoted from his starting spot. Williams could be a buyout candidate for the 15-29 Mavs since this looks like a lottery season for Mark Cuban and Dirk Nowitzki.

All three are playing on teams that don’t seem to have long-term plans of keeping them.

Whether the Cavs have enough assets to acquire one is another story.

LeBron James lamented the team’s need to add a backup point guard or playmaker after an embarrassing 124-122 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, who were missing All-Star Anthony Davis.

Kyrie Irving scored a season-high 49 points and LeBron posted a triple-double, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a 20-point halftime deficit.

James noted that he’s been in conversations with Cavs General Manager David Griffin about the situation multiple times throughout the season and he had “no problems” with the front office.