Dribbles: Cavaliers' total collapse calls for gutting of roster

Random dribbles following the Cavaliers' 133-98 basketball massacre of a home loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. 1. The poor Cavs. The poor, poor

Random dribbles following the Cavaliers' 133-98 basketball massacre of a home loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.

1. The poor Cavs. The poor, poor Cavs.

2. That's really all I have to say, because I have no intention of writing about the actual game. Partially because I could no longer bear to watch after the start of the third quarter. Mostly because it's undoubtedly best to just forget it.

3. All I really know is general manager Koby Altman will really need to get to work before the Feb. 7 trade deadline. The man has his work cut out for him.

4. Question is, do you see anyone here that anyone else would want right now? OK, maybe center Tristan Thompson, but he still has that large contract.

5. That's not a shot at Thompson. Unlike last season, I think the Cavs should keep him -- unless they can get a really nice haul in return. I also think Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson could make nice reserves moving forward.

6. Other than that, I'm not so sure.

7. Let's put it this way: There is no one on the roster that has me thinking, "Under no circumstance should that player be traded." That includes rookie point guard Collin Sexton and second-year man Cedi Osman.

8. Translation: If I'm Altman, I would accept every trade call on everyone, and make a bunch of calls of my own.

9. Educated guess: That's precisely what Altman is doing.

10. Another guess: It is open season on the Cavs' roster after nine straight losses. That includes five in a row AT HOME by at least 20 points.

11. It's safe to say the wheels have come off, even for a rebuilding season.

12. I have not heard of any opposing interest in Sexton. I have heard the Los Angeles Clippers are interested in Osman and Rodney Hood. I have heard the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics also have interest in Hood. I have heard a lot of things -- but again, what the Cavs could actually get back for their players in a trade, I have no idea.

13. The Cavs have until Monday to decide what to do with newcomer Patrick McCaw. I can't imagine they'll give up on him. But they did give themselves an out when they signed him. After Jan. 7, his two-year contract worth $6 million becomes guaranteed.

14. I asked an opposing GM what he would do if he were in charge of the Cavs. He said he would start making it known that "everyone is available." He added, "I would call every team at least once with that message." (Or he would just save time by asking ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski to tweet it.)

15. I have stood firmly behind interim coach Larry Drew because the Cavs had at least been playing hard. I still think Drew deserves a real shot at the job after the season.

16. It seems to me that some of the players have just hit a wall. All the losing is wearing on the younger players. Some of the veterans are playing with one eye on the door. I don't blame Drew for any of it.

17. This is truly a season of auditioning, and if I'm the Cavs' casting director, right now I'm saying, "Don't call us, we'll call you."

18. And to think Kevin Love is supposed to return from foot surgery later this month. I often wonder how that's going to go. Perhaps the Cavs can convince him to get back on the court with the promise they will at least look to trade him to a contender. Those potential deals, I assure you, will be out there.

19. But opposing teams want to make sure that Love is healthy first.

20. If the Cavs (8-32) were still at least showing some real fight and giving themselves the occasional chance to win, I would say keeping Love is definitely worth considering. Now, I'm not so sure.

21. Hate to be the voice of doom, but think about this: The Cavs start a six-game road swing Wednesday against the same Pelicans team that just beat them by 35 in Cleveland. The trip also includes a visit to the Los Angeles Lakers a week from Sunday.

22. Good night, and good luck.