Greg Monroe

Detroit Pistons center Greg Monroe (10) tries to go to the basket against Brooklyn Nets forward Paul Pierce, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, in Auburn Hills, Mich.

(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cavs have reached a crossroads in their season. They came into the year with playoff aspirations, hoping to avoid a trip back to the lottery. But they have underachieved and currently sit four games out of the eighth spot with an 18-33 record, raising numerous questions about the future of the franchise.

The first big step was taken last week, with general manager Chris Grant being fired. The move has served as a bit of a wake-up call as the Cavs have played harder and won two straight. But interim GM David Griffin still has some tough decisions facing him, and with the NBA trade deadline 10 days away, the Cavs could be one of the busiest teams in the league.

First they have to decide which approach to take.

Will they be "buyers" or "sellers" at the deadline? Griffin mentioned Sunday afternoon that he doesn't see the team getting better becoming a seller, indicating that line of thinking has left the organization. The next decision is whether anything has to be done to crawl back into the playoff picture. The Eastern Conference is wide open and the Cavs' recent play could deter Griffin from making any changes, thinking the increase in effort is all the boost the team needs.

Grant has given the Cavs assets to work with. Teams may come calling for the stash of draft picks, Dion Waiters, Jarrett Jack, Tristan Thompson or even Anderson Varejao, whose name continues to get linked to rumors.

This year's trade deadline, like so many in years' past is tough to predict. Some teams that looked like bottom feeders at the start of the season have surprised (Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Bobcats), and are in the playoff chase. Other teams have underachieved (Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves) and could be open for business.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Evan Turner (12) runs toward his bench in celebration of his buzzer-beating shot at the end of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics in Boston, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014. The 76ers won 95-94.

Evan Turner, Shooting Guard, Philadelphia 76ers – The second-overall pick in the 2010 draft has failed to live up to lofty expectations in Philadelphia. But Turner has been known as a late bloomer. At Ohio State, it took him three years to become the National Player of the Year. And he's following the same path in the NBA. After averaging single digit points in his first two seasons, Turner enjoyed a rise to double figures last season and he has added to it this year, averaging 17.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists while shooting 43 percent from the field. Philadelphia has started to collapse after a surprising start and with Turner a free agent at the end of the season he could probably be had for a future asset. A draft pick maybe? His shaky jumper remains a work in progress, but he can play and defend a multitude of positions as well as score from different areas on the court.

Spencer Hawes, Center, Philadelphia 76ers – There aren't too many legit seven footers that can score, rebound, defend and knock down three pointers. That's Hawes, who's in the midst of a career year averaging 14.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 40 percent from distance. Nerlens Noel, the center of the future, is already on the roster. Hawes, 25, is going to be a free agent at the end of the season. It seems Philadelphia has reason to move him and he could become a floor spacing big that adds to the Cavs' frontcourt depth while at the same time becoming an insurance policy for the oft-injured Anderson Varejao.

Ersan Ilyasova, Power Forward, Milwaukee Bucks – It was a few years back when the Milwaukee Bucks invested in Ilyasova, 26. He has struggled with his shot this season (37% field goals, 28% three pointers) but has shown throughout his career (44% field goals, 37% three pointers) to be much more reliable. He's a true "stretch four" with an ability to score the ball inside as well as extend his game outside to pull the defenders away from the basket, creating driving lanes for his teammates. Three straight seasons averaging double figures shows that can he be a scoring threat when healthy, which has been the biggest issue for Ilyasova.

Rajon Rondo, Point guard, Boston Celtics – There are lots of questions about Rondo. One is his health. The triple-double threat returned just a month ago from a Torn ACL and is the kind of guy that throws his body around, inviting contact. He is also still experiencing some soreness in his repaired knee. Another issue is his attitude. Given the Cavs' past chemistry issues and locker room volatility, he could be a poor fit. And then there's his position. Rondo, a sweet-passing point guard, dominates the ball. A true offensive engineer, his arrival would move Kyrie Irving off the ball and the Cavs would have to figure out if that backcourt would mesh while Irving still proves effective not running the show.

Rondo is a difference-making talent, one of the best point guards in the league. He can get to the basket at will, creating shots for himself and his teammates. He's defensive-minded and rebounds as well as any player at his position. And he's just 27 years old, stepping into his prime. NBA basketball is not a video game. How a guy fits and the kind of attitude he has both matter. But the Cavs have to at least consider the possibility of putting together one of the most devastating backcourts in the league.

Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley, right, wraps around Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) on a drive to the basket during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Friday, April 5, 2013.

Avery Bradley, Shooting Guard, Boston Celtics – The Celtics have already made one trade. Boston dealt guards Jordan Crawford and Marshon Brooks to the Golden State Warriors in a three-team deal that netted Boston two draft picks. But the Celtics still have a logjam in the backcourt with Rondo, Phil Pressey, Jerryd Bayless and Bradley fighting for minutes. Bradley, once known as a pesky defender, has improved his offense significantly in his fourth season. He's averaging 14.3 points while shooting 43 percent from the floor, including 35 percent on three pointers. At 23 years old, Bradley's a tough-minded player that has developed each season, and with his contract status - restricted free agent at the end of the season - the Celtics could move him.

Arron Afflalo, Shooting Guard, Orlando Magic – He's the oldest player on this list. But the 28-year-old wing represents everything that the Cavs need. He's an excellent long-range shooter, making 39 percent of his three pointers throughout his career, including nearly 43 percent this season. With teams focusing so much attention on Irving, having a marksmen in the backcourt will make the Cavs offense more potent and his presence could help Irving return to his All-Star form. Afflalo started his career known as a defensive stopper, a role that he relishes and hasn't relinquished despite three different NBA stops. But he's improved and become much more than that. Afflalo's points per game have gone up every year and he currently averages 19.8, which puts him in the Top 20 in the NBA. Orlando is going nowhere, except to the lottery.

Harrison Barnes, Small Forward, Golden State Warriors – The Warriors will have to take a hard look at their roster prior to the deadline or in the offseason. They've already won 30 games in the Western Conference this year, but the roster makeup is head scratching. And Barnes, 2012's seventh pick, could be expendable despite being the team's fourth-leading scorer.

Golden State Warriors' Harrison Barnes celebrates with teammate Andre Iguodala during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014, in Oakland, Calif. Golden State won 102-87.

Wanting to be more defensive minded the Dubs brought in Andre Iguodala, who occupies the same position as Barnes. Since returning from a hamstring injury early in the season, Iguodala has not lived up to the cash thrown his way. His arrival put Barnes, last year's playoff star, on the bench and Barnes doesn't look comfortable after a strong start. He's averaging nearly four less points as a reserve than he is as a starter and while he has kept a positive attitude, the move to the bench has hurt his development. Making matters worse, the Warriors' other reliable bench player is Draymond Green, who is also a small forward. Depth is one thing but having the two best bench players play the same position as the big money free agent acquisition seems overkill. While Barnes has some versatility, playing shooting guard and power forward in a small-ball lineup this season, it's tough for him to get consistent minutes and shot attempts in those spots too. Shooting guard Klay Thompson plays all but 10 minutes per game while taking 16 shots. David Lee, last year's All-Star forward, plays 34 minutes per game and heaves up 15 shots. Barnes, meanwhile, is averaging nine shots in his 29 minutes. The Warriors have a logjam at his position. It's tough to get everyone minutes. And it could lead to them making a deal. The Cavs, who may need a small forward of the future depending on the offseason decision from Luol Deng, have the assets to grab the still developing player that has a strong relationship with Irving.

Greg Monroe, Center/Power Forward, Detroit Pistons – This would be a deal between two underachieving teams. The Pistons, who paid over $50 million this offseason for Josh Smith, opened up the possibility of moving Monroe. For the Cavs, this makes perfect sense. Monroe is 23 years old and is the kind of offensive low post threat Cleveland doesn't have on its roster. Along with being able to score down low, Monroe has also shown deft touch and an ability to knock down the mid-range jumper. Cleveland would finally have its No. 2 scoring option to take pressure off Irving. And provided the Cavs re-sign Monroe, who is a restricted free agent following this season, he and Irving could make a sweet tandem for years.

From the Pistons standpoint it would allow them to save their money for Andre Drummond, an emerging force and franchise centerpiece. It would also allow Detroit to play Josh Smith at his more natural position of power forward.