CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my Cleveland Cavaliers notebook as the 2018 NBA trade deadline approaches on Thursday:

1. The Cavaliers should seriously consider trading Isaiah Thomas. He has little value on the court for the Cavs. There still seems to be something wrong with his hip. He has trouble jumping and finishing layups near the rim. His jump shots bang off the front of the rim, another sign that his legs (and hip) aren't strong.

2. He's not improving. He's played 13 games since returning from his major hip injury (torn labrum). He went nearly seven months without playing full court basketball. The Cavs hoped Thomas could "play himself into shape." But the more he plays, the more he struggles.

3. Heading into Monday's game in Orlando, Thomas is averaging 15.2 points. He's shooting only 36 percent from the field, 24 percent on 3-pointers.

4. But in his last five games, it's 32 percent from the field. He is 4-of-26 (15 percent) on 3-pointers. This is painful to watch. His teammates have been discouraged watching him force up so many poor shots -- and they wonder why he's receiving so much playing time.

5. Thomas has said a few times that one of the Cavs therapists said he should have waited until April to come back. Looks like that person was right. He suffered the torn labrum last March and played with it until late in the postseason.

6. This is not to write off the career of the 28-year-old Thomas. But it is to say it's doubtful he'll be much help this season. In fact, he is a detriment because Tyronn Lue keeps starting him and playing him. He has major problems blending in with LeBron James and other Cavs right now. The reason is obvious. He's shooting a lot and missing a lot. He is the only Cavs player taking a shot every 2.0 minutes -- that's a high-rate of putting up shots.

7. It's very possible Thomas comes back strong next season. He'll have a summer to rest and strengthen the hip. If Thomas were on a long-term contract with the Cavs, it could make more sense to keep him.

8. Thomas has one season and $6.5 million left on his contract with the Cavs. He will be a free agent on July 1. This type of contract is very valuable in a deal. It's known as a "expiring contract" and can help a team with salary cap problems.

9. An expiring contract is why Channing Frye is being mentioned in various deals. He is paid $7.4 million and is a free agent on July 1. But unlike Thomas, the 6-foot-11 Frye is an excellent fit with the Cavs. That's especially true since the 6-foot-10 Kevin Love is out for two months with a broken hand. In his last five games, Frye is averaging 10 points and 5.0 rebounds, shooting 55 percent from the field. That's in 19 minutes per game.

10. Frye also is a respectable low-post defender. The Cavs are an awful defensive team -- rated No. 28 in defensive efficiency. Thomas always struggled in that department, but it's even worse since his hip injury.

11. The Cavs have a choice. Thomas was part of the Kyrie Irving deal with the Boston Celtics. The hope was Thomas would be healthy by midseason and deliver some of the scoring and energy that he did a year ago for Boston. Thomas was an All-Star and a 29-point scorer for Boston. But this Isaiah is not the same guy after the hip injury.

12. The Cavs can't worry how it will look if they include Thomas in a trade -- even if his value to another team is simply an expiring contract. They need to change the chemistry and improve the defense on the Cavs. Subtracting Thomas would help in those areas. Not entirely fix it, but help.

13. The Cavs have had some trade talks for George Hill. Supposedly, they were going to deal Iman Shumpert, Frye and perhaps someone else for the Sacramento guard. I'd sub Thomas for Frye. The Kings are looking to dump Hill, who makes $20 million this season and $19 million in 2018-19. He is at $18 million in 2019-20, but only $1 million is guaranteed.

14. Hill is a steady, 6-foot-3 point guard. He has been dealing with a toe injury this season. He's averaging 10.2 points and 2.7 assists in 26 minutes per game. He's shooting 45 percent on 3-pointers.

15. The deal doesn't have to be for the 31-year-old Hill. But the Cavs can use Thomas (especially the contract) to help open up some other trade possibilities -- and they should be open to doing just that.



