Report: Cavaliers targeting Nuggets' Jameer Nelson

In wake of LeBron James‘ declaration aimed at management following the Cavaliers’ loss in New Orleans that Cleveland is “a top-heavy team” and “not better than last year from a personnel standpoint,” ESPN.com’s Marc Stein is reporting that the Cavs are “targeting” Nuggets’ backup point guard Jameer Nelson.

Stein also lists Utah’s Shelvin Mack as another player Cleveland is pursuing.

“Mack, according to sources, is most definitely available. The Cavs, though, would be forced to use the $4.8 million trade exception they just created in the Kyle Korver deal (with an expiration date of Jan. 7, 2018) to absorb the salary of Denver’s Jameer Nelson, who is said to be another Cleveland target but makes $4.5 million this season…”

Nelson, 34, who’s played the role of backup point guard all season in Denver, has really come on in the Nuggets’ latest two wins. The veteran was elevated into a starting role with point guard Emmanuel Mudiay sidelined due to low back soreness and has flourished.

After struggling in a loss to Minnesota, Nelson responded by posting 17 points and seven assists in 31 minutes against Utah and 13 points to go with nine assists two days later versus Phoenix – both wins for Denver. On the season, Nelson is averaging 8.8 points and 4.6 assists per game.

Mack and Korver could both fit into one of Cleveland’s trade exceptions.

Back in Cleveland, James has been “banging the drum” for a point guard, as ESPN.com’s Dave McMenamin put it, after the 32-year-old expressed his frustration with Cleveland’s rotation which is bleak at the one after Kyrie Irving. Behind Irving, the Cavs only have second-round draft pick Kay Felder, who’s played sparingly this season and Cleveland has delegated much of the ball handling duties to James, along with Iman Shumpert at times.

Mo Williams, who was recently waived by the Nuggets, was set to be Cleveland’s backup point guard entering training camp, but injuries derailed his season and many expect the 34-year-old to retire.

The Cavs have lost six of their last nine games.

“We need a f—ing playmaker,” James said via ESPN.com. “I’m not saying you can just go find one, like you can go outside and see trees. I didn’t say that.”