Cavs Targeting Covington To Boost Drive Heading Into Playoffs

Robert Covington #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the surprise teams this NBA season, but they have to cover several bases heading into the playoffs.

One loophole seen is added scoring and defense. To address that need, the Cavs reportedly have Robert Covington of the Portland Trail Blazers on their radar according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

Without question, Covington is a proven 3-and-D player. He is a former member of the NBA All-Defensive team and is arguably one of the vital pieces of the Blazers, who currently occupy the 10th spot with a 20-27 win-loss card in the Western Conference.

However, the Cavs are not the only ones who have the 31-year-old swingman on their radar.

The Utah Jazz and the Minnesota Timberwolves are also in the mix, two teams also looking to maintain and improve their rosters heading into the postseason wars, sports scribe Marc Stein reported.

Covington is on an expiring deal, yet another reason why the Blazers would do well to trade him and get something in return before the season ends.

It has yet to be known what the Blazers would ask in return for Covington although it would be safe to assume the 6-foot-7 cager won’t come cheap.

So far in 77 games, Covington has managed to produce 7.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 29.3 minutes of action.

Although his numbers are not eye-popping, the native of Illinois looms as an asset off the bench and is a defensive gem any coach would love to field in.

It would also make sense for the Blazers who appear headed towards another disappointing season.

Damian Lillard is out and there is no timetable on when he could return.

CJ McCollum is also out with a lung issue, further compounding the woes of first-year head coach Chauncey Billups.

With most chips down, Portland may opt to clean house and sell some assets that may not be part of their plans.

As for the Cavs, they continue to roll. They just took down the reigning NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks, 115-99, with Kevin Love and Cedi Osman leading them to their third-straight win.