The NBA Trade Deadline is set for February 8th, which means it's time to ask: what are the Cavaliers going to do? Do they need to do anything? This question used to center solely around stopping the Warriors. The common response is that the Cavaliers need a big man. Since Timofey Mozgov had a serviceable regular season as the Cavalier's center, the team has lacked a rim stopper. They are lacking someone who can block Steph Curry and Kevin Durant when they try to take the ball to the hole.

An assortment of names have been thrown around since the offseason. At first, it was Zach Randolph during free agency and before he went to the Kings. DeMarcus Cousins was a popular name too. The Pelicans likely won't be making any deep playoff runs, despite having the two best big men in the NBA in Cousins and Anthony Davis. A team like them would apparently be interested in the Brooklyn first round pick that the Cavaliers currently own.

More recently, DeAndre Jordan, although injured, was linked to the Cavaliers. Pretty much anyone who is 6'11" or taller, is the best fit for the Cavaliers according to most media outlets. In my opinion, that way of thinking might work in the NBA pre-Warriors. For the Cavaliers today, the true answer is likely more complicated than adding a big lumbering lane-stuffer.

First, let's look at who the Cavaliers are as of January 16th. Currently, they are a team in a slump with a bunch of veteran players, that haven't figured out what team they are together. With Isaiah Thomas returning from injury, he is struggling after not playing professional basketball for eight months. His specific injury is slightly different in that there is some real question as to whether he will be able to physically handle the game with his hip the way that it is. But let's remain positive and assume for the sake of this article that he returns to full strength soon.

For now, I feel comfortable chalking some of the Cavaliers struggles to the slightly altered lineups thanks to ITs return to the court. From watching the Cavs when major players return from injury, there is always a lull. It takes time for everyone to get comfortable being where they are supposed to be. With a starting lineup of James, Thomas, Love, Smith, and Crowder, I feel confident in saying that this is a competitive team. Arguably an Eastern Conference champion, depending on certain factors. The issue remains, however, how do you stop the Warriors?

The way that I see it, the Warriors represent a different kind of ideology. Yes, they have three of the top ten players on the planet on their team. That certainly helps and for all we know, their brand of ball is one that only works when you have the talent that they do. But the truth is, they play with a style that no one has seen before. Their shooting range doesn't exist in the area between the three-point line and right underneath the basket.

With players that shoot at such a high percentage beyond the arc to complement players that can make plays under the hoop, they have opened up the floor in a way that the Cavaliers could only dream to do. Additionally, the speed they have from one end of the court to the other is unlike anyone else in the NBA. Which brings me back to the signing of a big man. The Cavaliers already struggle in fast-break defense. A 270 pound center like DeMarcus Cousins, likely wouldn't help that. Additionally, who is he meant to guard on the Warriors? The obvious answer is Iguodala or Green. But what happens when one of those guys sets a screen to free up Durant, Curry, or Thompson? Is he supposed to switch onto them? The point I'm trying to make is that today's NBA has already solved how to expose a big slow center on defense.

My solution relies on two things and both of them relate to the Cavaliers defense. The Cavaliers are fifth in the league in scoring, so I really am not too concerned with their offense at this time. Firstly, JR Smith. I love that man. He is an inspiration and without a doubt my favorite NBA player of all-time. But as of right now, he doesn't bring anything to the Cavaliers. His offensive impact is nearly non-existent, averaging 7.6 points and a field goal percentage of 37.7. For him to remain a Cavalier, he needs to be a completely airtight, lockdown defender. I'm talking two to three steals per game, and certainly more blocks than 0.1 per game. His body type is exactly what the Cavs need on defense against the Golden State Warriors. Tall with long arms. If that doesn't happen, his position in the starting lineup is the one the Cavaliers need to upgrade. As tears well in my eyes, I ask who would be the ideal replacement for JR Smith. I do not have that answer. I'm sure someone would. But I do not.

Lastly, a revamping of the way the Cavs and the NBA think about defense. The solution to the Warriors isn't going to be as simple as getting a big man. In reality, the answer seems to be in how the Warriors themselves play defense. It isn't talked about often because of how absurd their offense is, but they really are an incredibly well-rounded team. They switch at the right moments on the right players. They are very unlikely to be caught in a mismatch that doesn't favor them.I don't know how to describe it in a more technical way, but my summary of what I think is near enough to be the answer is constant pressure.

Many of their players rely on and thrive in even the tightest of windows, and I think that with the right defensive mindset, those windows can be (mostly) closed. Many people wonder whether Tyron Lue is the right coach to put the Cavaliers in the right play style. People wonder if he can get the Cavs to be the defensive team necessary to lock down the Warriors. But seeing as how Lue is thought of as a players coach, I'd rather ask if the guys on the team are up to the challenge. I think yes.

In the end, I feel confident putting money on any team that has LeBron James on the roster. Rough patches like this one happen from time to time, but great players find the answers. Great organizations find the right personnel. Great coaches make the right adjustments. I can't say that I am predicting this all to work out in the Cavaliers favor, because there are certain aspects of their game that needs to be addressed. However, I feel confident that if any team can find the right pieces to that puzzle, it's the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cavs in 6.