The Cleveland Cavaliers could make a major roster shakeup before the trade deadline as reports suggested on Monday that their executives are losing their patience on their struggling team.
The Cavaliers head into the season with a lot of promise and with strong playoff hopes in sight after acquiring Andrew Bynum and top rookie pick Anthony Bennett during the offseason, but they have been on a downward spiral during the first half of the season.
And should the Cavaliers fail to find a quick antidote to their woes, the Akron Beacon-Journal reported that Cleveland could make big moves before the deadline.
Their locker room friction is no secret and a recent statement from veteran forward Luol Deng confirmed that there is still a growing friction within the team, particularly between star point guard Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters.
According to the report, the Cavaliers will likely trade Waiters before the deadline. Sources confirmed that most of his teammates and team executives are losing their patience on the sophomore guard, who was allegedly removed from one of their recent practices.
"Two sources close to the team confirmed that barring a significant turnaround before the trade deadline, this roster will likely face some upheaval. That very well could include Waiters, whose act has worn thin on his teammates and various members of the organization," the Beacon-Journal reported.
Sources also added that his teammates and some team executives are getting frustrated with Irving with reports saying that the All-Star point guard is acting like he doesn't care. Previous reports also cited league executives saying that the former first-overall pick has been pouting all-season long.
However, the Cavaliers are not expected to consider trading Irving, who denied the pouting allegations against him.
"I've never been known for pouting. Just because I don't smile on the court when we're losing, I don't think I'm supposed to smile. You smile on the court, that's a problem, especially when you're losing like this," Irving said.
Aside from Waiters, the Cavaliers will also reportedly consider moving 2013 first-overall pick Anthony Bennett. The former UNLV standout is already being labeled as a "bust", but sources said that several teams are still high on the upside of the 20-year-old small forward.
The Cavaliers have shown tremendous patience on their top rookie pick, but it remains to be seen whether or not they will consider parting ways with him this season.
