Will Cavs do any trading?

By GEORGE M. THOMAS

CLEVELAND — Trade season in the NBA is akin to trying to sift out plot points in a soap opera. The rumors and innuendoes fly from every direction, most fueled by rampant speculation and fan desire.

In the past couple of seasons, the Cavaliers have been a curiosity in the process. They went from a blockbuster trade two years ago — acquiring Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West — to not making a move last season.

Most outside of the organization believe the Cavs are desperate to make any kind of move before the Feb. 18 trade deadline to ensure LeBron James doesn’t leave as a free agent after the season. History shows, though, that general manager Danny Ferry will ultimately make a decision that’s in the best interest of the franchise.

The choices aren’t made easy at this point, because the Cavs have the best record in the league and have won seven in a row, going into tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

It also can be said that Ferry made his moves in the last offseason.

Guard Anthony Parker and forward Jamario Moon were added and have proved mostly productive despite some serious growing pains early this season.

The acquisition of Shaquille O’Neal via trade — the rumored big move this time last year that never came to fruition — is working. His recent play is bearing fruit for the organization’s thinking and its patience with him.

Another point is the next best teams in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic, also have flaws, and they were evident when the two played each other Thursday. For the Celtics, it’s age and injury. Watching Kevin Garnett hobble through that game would give anyone sympathy pain. As for the Magic, all of their changes after losing in the NBA Finals have hampered the chemistry that led them there in the first place.

The most dangerous teams could end up being the Atlanta Hawks and the Charlotte Bobcats.

Which brings us back to: Why tinker with the success?

The Cavs have a five-game lead in the Eastern Conference and are a long way from the team that started with an opening loss to the Celtics and a 2-2 record.

But every team has doubts, and the company line is that the Cavs are always looking to upgrade their roster if the right deal comes along.

Another factor is the lack of pieces to trade. The Cavs’ most valuable asset is the expiring contract of veteran center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Second-year forward J.J. Hickson and guard Daniel Gibson could also figure into a mix.

As for willing trade partners, the Cavs have been connected to several in recent weeks.

If the Cavs are truly looking for that “stretch four,” as the athletic power forwards are called in the NBA, several come to mind.

At the top of the list is Antawn Jamison of the Washington Wizards. What makes that scenario problematic is the history the two teams have. There’s not a lot of love between the two, courtesy of contentious playoff battles that the Wizards lost