The Vertical Front-Office Insider Bobby Marks, a 20-year executive with the Nets, breaks down the Cleveland Cavaliers’ situation as the Feb. 18 trade deadline approaches.

HANG UP IF THEY ASK ABOUT ...

The Big Two

Teams know better than to even pick up the phone to ask about LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Irving, who signed a rookie extension in 2014, is locked into a very cap-friendly salary. James, who has a player option this July, remains a franchise player.





Kevin Love

Hang up for now, but revisit this summer. Cavaliers management needs to decide over the next few months whether Kevin Love fits in with a new coach and a different system. Love, who is still only 27, is locked into a five-year contract signed last summer.



View photos Kevin Love will likely stay put this season. (NBAE/Getty Images) More

Still averaging a double-double, Love would be highly coveted if he were on the open market. Because Cleveland does not have cap space, management would not be able to replace Love even if they were to move him for an assortment of picks.

Tristan Thompson

There aren’t many 24-year-old, 6-foot-10 power forwards who can disrupt a game like Thompson can. Thrown into the starting center role, Thompson has been a glue guy for Cleveland. He’s under contract at a good value thru 2019-20.



UP FOR DEBATE

Timofey Mozgov

Cleveland’s second-best player in last year’s NBA Finals, Mozgov has fallen out of the starting lineup over the past month. The 29-year-old is in the final year of his contract and has seen his numbers fall across the board. With a record payroll heading into this summer, Cleveland management will have hard time justifying Mozgov’s asking price. Cleveland traded two first-round picks for Mozgov and faces the possibility of losing him for nothing.





NO-TRADE CLAUSE OR WITH A RESTRICTION

LeBron James and J.R. Smith

They each signed a two-year contract with a player option this summer. Because James and Smith could have early or full Bird rights at the end of the year, both must consent to any trade Cleveland wishes to make.





If James or Smith were to consent to a deal, the early Bird rights would not carry over to a new team.

Matthew Dellavedova and James Jones

They signed one-year contracts and must consent to any trade Cleveland wishes to make.



If Dellavedova or Jones consent to a deal, the full or early Bird rights would not carry over to a new team.

MOVE THAT PUSHES THE NEEDLE

Cleveland has depth at every position. A nice mix of youth and veterans has helped the Cavaliers stay atop the Eastern Conference.



Consistency, familiarity with a new coach and health will be keys for Cleveland

Fairly or not, the Cavaliers will only be judged on what happens in June.

TREASURE CHEST OF PICKS

Replenished in 2017

Cleveland will convey its first-round pick, projected to be in the late 20s, to Phoenix this year.





The Cavaliers own their future first-round picks.

The Cavaliers currently cannot trade a first-round pick until 2021. This will change to 2018 in April once obligations are met with Phoenix. On the night of the draft, Cleveland will be eligible to trade a 2017 first-round pick once its selection is made. The rule for trading consecutive draft picks only applies to future years.

AVAILABLE TRADE EXCEPTIONS

Cleveland has three trade exceptions that vary in size.



View photos LeBron James will have a contract decision to make this summer. (AP) More

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