The Cavaliers are reportedly deep in talks with the Los Angeles Clippers on a potential swap involving guards Darius Garland and James Harden. After that eye-catching report, Cleveland again appeared in trade chatter with the Bucks and the Mavericks.

All of this lines up quite nicely, and according to Jake Fischer, the Cavaliers and Hornets have indeed held preliminary conversations about a Ball trade that would help Cleveland get below the second apron before Thursday's deadline.