Ben McLemore, Kyle Korver

Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) drives against Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) in the second half of a game Nov. 18, 2015, in Atlanta. McLemore is drawing trade interest from the Cavs and other Eastern Conference teams, cleveland.com has learned.

(AP)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Even though the Cleveland Cavaliers have capped off the first half of the season with a conference-leading 38-14 record, they recognize they need more help to contend for a championship.

The Cavaliers, among with a handful of other Eastern Conference teams, have strong interest in trading for Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore, league sources told cleveland.com.

Cleveland is on the prowl for wing assistance with the Feb. 18 trade deadline fast approaching. McLemore, 23, has been underutilized with head coach George Karl at the helm, but he's shooting a career-high 37 percent from long distance.

The Kings have declined overtures for their young 3-point marksman. But with the direction and state of the organization, external pressure could come into play when it comes to potentially moving talent.

It's widely known within league circles that agents have been pushing to get their clients out of Sacramento with the franchise embroiled in dysfunction and turmoil.

Small forward Rudy Gay wouldn't mind a change of scenery, but Sacramento hasn't received any offers to its liking.

For Cleveland, McLemore would be additional backcourt depth at a relative cheap rate. He's earning $3.1 million this season and $4 million in 2016-17 before hitting restricted free agency.

McLemore could also serve as a security blanket should J.R. Smith decide to bolt in free agency this summer.

Houston's Trevor Ariza, Atlanta's Kyle Korver and Washington's Jared Dudley are all on the Cavaliers' radar, but landing one of those three is highly unlikely.

If Joe Johnson secures a buyout in Brooklyn, league sources are adamant Cleveland would "snatch him up" for the veteran minimum.

On the trade front in terms of assets, Cleveland possesses $10.5-million and $2.9-million trade exceptions that both expire at the end of July. They also have future second-round picks. Teams will call for Mo Williams, who has been demoted to the third point guard, but the Cavaliers know how valuable it is to have three more-than-serviceable point guards.

It's not a matter of if, but when the Cavaliers make a move. They're already shelling out the second-highest payroll in the league's history at around $170 million, which shows ownership's commitment to winning.

Thanks to the Golden State Warriors' mammoth leap in performance this season and the San Antonio Spurs' disciplined and sound domination, the Cavaliers have to keep improving. It will take internal enhancements and bringing a player or two to Cleveland.