It seems rather certain the Cavaliers roster is likely going to be changing in the next couple of days. Just how radical the changes will be, however, is still up in the air.
Sunday is Jan. 10, which is the NBA contract guarantee date. All non-guaranteed contracts become guaranteed for the rest of the season after that date, which leaves teams making judgment calls on numerous players every year.

The Cavs are in a unique position. They have four players with non-guaranteed contracts among the 25 still on league rosters. Forwards Darnell Jackson and Jawad Williams and guards Coby Karl and Danny Green having been keeping a watch on that deadline.

But it is deeper than just deciding which players they should keep or let go. With the economic realities of the league, non-guaranteed contracts can act like free money for teams with financial problems.

By trading a player with a guaranteed contract for a player with a non-guaranteed deal, a team looking to save money could just cut the non-guaranteed player and save the salary. Considering almost half of the league is headed for the dollar-for-dollar luxury tax, plenty of teams could save double by trading for a player they can cut.
That is why, league sources say, the Cavs have been on the phones taking a look at their options with some or all of their non-guaranteed contracts. There are a handful of teams looking to reduce their payroll. Two franchises – the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns – have already made minor trades to dump salary.