The Brooklyn Nets have fallen to 10th place in the Eastern Conference amid a 3-13 stretch over their last 16 games. With the Feb. 8. trade deadline approaching, the team is expected to field trade offers for sought-after veterans, namely Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O'Neale.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have presented themselves as a suitor for O'Neale, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

“One veteran team executive read my Sunday piece that wondered aloud about the Cavaliers pursuing a trade for Brooklyn's Royce O'Neale and relayed that Cleveland indeed has O'Neale on its list of targets,” Stein wrote Tuesday.

Will the Nets and Cavs agree to a Royce O'Neale trade?

Nets' Royce O’Neale next to the Cleveland Cavaliers logo.

The Cavaliers have been interested in O'Neale dating back to last year's deadline when they reportedly came close to a deal to acquire him from Brooklyn. Many have speculated that interest is tied to O'Neale's close friendship with former Utah Jazz teammate Donovan Mitchell as Cleveland attempts to pitch the star guard on an extension.

O'Neale has had a productive start to the season, averaging career-highs in points, rebounds and assists per 36 minutes. The 30-year-old has shot 38.4 percent from three on a career-high 6.7 attempts per game since the Nets traded for him during the 2022 offseason.

He was one of Brooklyn's top clutch performers in 2022-23, shooting 10-of-20 from the field and 8-of-16 from three in crunch time (final five minutes of games within five points).

The Nets are reportedly seeking a first-round pick for O'Neale, who is on a $9.5 million expiring contract. While the Cavaliers remain interested, they don't have a tradable first-rounder after acquiring Mitchell from Utah. However, they have all of their second-round picks and Milwaukee's in 2025.

Cleveland is also limited from a prospect standpoint. Isaac Okoro is likely the only young player who would move the needle for Brooklyn in a deal. The 22-year-old wing has averaged 8.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists on 46/33/74 shooting splits over four NBA seasons. He is making $9 million this year and will be a restricted-free agent this summer.

The Nets are expected to continue to field offers for O'Neale and other pieces ahead of the deadline. If they cannot find a team willing to offer a first-round pick for the veteran, they could revisit the Cavaliers as a trade partner.