Wesley Matthews

Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews gestures after hitting a shot to narrow the lead to one point for the Denver Nuggets late in the fourth quarter of the Trail Blazers' 105-103 victory in an NBA basketball game in Denver on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) ORG XMIT: CODZ115

(David Zalubowski)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cavaliers have been linked to an array of potential trade targets over the last few months.

From a versatile wing defender capable of knocking down outside shots to a rim-protecting big man, Cleveland has let it be known they are in the business of securing a player at each position.

Shawn Marion has been serviceable and steady, but he is playing out of position at shooting guard. In an ideal situation, Marion comes off the bench. However, the Cavaliers have had to modify the arrangement once it was clear that Dion Waiters wasn't a good fit with the starters.

Kosta Koufos shown protecting the paint, a skill-set the Cavaliers desperately need.

To upgrade the position, Cleveland was in talks with the Minnesota Timberwolves for Corey Brewer, but those conversations have subsided.

As of now, a rash of injuries has deterred Minnesota from handing over their best perimeter defender.

The idyllic fit for the Cavaliers to fill their void for toughness, shooting and defensive tenacity resides in the Pacific Northwest: Wesley Matthews of Portland Trail Blazers. Cleveland has adored Matthews for quite some time and its quest of him has been repeatedly vetoed, league sources told Northeast Ohio Media Group.

Portland, at 19-6, is one of the best young teams in the league. Breaking up a sturdy nucleus entrenched in a winning culture isn't in the team's plans.

Barring an unexpected plummet, the Trail Blazers are dismissing all overtures for Matthews. He is a free agent at the end of the season and they have every intention of re-signing him next summer, a league source said.

When it comes to big man needs, Memphis Grizzlies' center Kousta Koufos is certainly a legitimate target. His $3 million salary would absorb perfectly into the $5.3 million trade exception Cleveland acquired in the Keith Bogans deal during training camp.

It's no secret that Koufos desires more minutes than what the Grizzlies are providing. With Memphis occupying the second-best record in the NBA, there is no rationalization for switching things up.

The Grizzlies value Koufos. They know you can never have too much depth in the frontcourt. But sooner or later, they'll have a huge decision to make. He is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year and at this stage in his career, he wants to play.

If the Grizzlies elect not to move Koufos, they risk losing him for nothing over the summer along with All-Star center Marc Gasol, who will be unrestricted. Losing both would be a decimating scenario.

Cleveland is high on Koufos, we're told. They view his talent as a remedy to their lack of protection around the paint. However, beyond this season, a team is going to have to make a financial commitment.

Longtime NBA agent Mark Termini, renowned as a masterful negotiator, represents Koufos. He is also the senior advisor of negotiations for Rich Paul's Klutch Sports Group agency. Termini has an excellent relationship with Cavaliers ownership and management.

With the Denver Nuggets holding firm on center Timofey Mozgov, Koufos appears to be the most logical bull's-eye. It's a waiting game at this point, a source said.

Out of all this uncertainty, one thing is certain: Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin is being aggressive and isn't afraid to make an unpopular transaction for the betterment of the team.

Cleveland has holes, but is determined to patch them with sustainable talent. The time to do so isn't far away.