LeBron James has expressed concern that his roster may need a boost. (Getty Images)

The Vertical Front-Office Insider Bobby Marks, a former 20-year executive with the Nets, looks at each team’s roster and trade assets, as well as examining the track record of each team’s general manager during previous trade deadlines.

The series begins with a look at the past three NBA champions as the Feb. 23 deadline approaches.

CLEVELAND

Roster

Player Value Insider info

1. LeBron James Franchise No-trade clause

2. Kyrie Irving All-NBA

3. Kevin Love All-star

4. Tristan Thompson Key starter

5. J.R. Smith Key starter/injured

6. Iman Shumpert Top reserve

7. Kyle Korver Top reserve Expiring contract

8. Channing Frye Rotation

9. Richard Jefferson Rotation

10. James Jones Roster Expiring contract

11. Chris Andersen Injured/roster

12. DeAndre Liggins Development 2017-18, No protection

13. Jordan McRae Development 2017-18, No protection

14. Kay Felder Development 2017-18, $455,000 Protection

Trade assets: limited and costly

Putting together a championship roster comes with a price.

For Cleveland, that price came in the way of first-round picks that were traded in deals for Channing Frye (via Orlando to Portland) and Korver (Atlanta).

As a result, Cleveland will not have a first-round pick to trade until 2022, at the earliest. Since signing LeBron James in 2014, the team hasn’t had a first-round pick to add to the roster and will not until 2018.

The Cavaliers are also limited on future second-round picks and cash to be included in any trade.

In the next four years, the Cavaliers have only a 2019 second-round pick from either the Lakers or Minnesota because Cleveland’s second-round picks have been traded in past deals.

Cleveland does have the draft rights to 21-year-old Cedi Osman, a former second-round pick (32nd overall in 2015) who currently plays in Turkey for Anadolu Efes.

Because of previous transactions (Sasha Kaun’s trade to the 76ers in July 2016 and Korver), Cleveland has $750,000 left to send out in trades.

The Cavaliers, however, do have five trade exceptions, ranging from $4.8 million to $947,000, that can be used to acquire a player in a trade or off waivers.

However, using a trade exception will come at a significant cost.

Cleveland is currently $14.3 million over the luxury tax and would become a Tier 4 tax team with additional salary.

Any additional salary would cost Cleveland $3.25 million for every $1 million spent and would increase the Cavaliers’ $27 million luxury-tax bill significantly.

GM David Griffin acquired J.R. Smith in January 2015. (AP) More

Story continues