NBA Trade Rumors: Insider Brian Windhorst reveals one East team players prefer joining over Celtics

The Boston Celtics entered the season as title favorites and have lived up to that status as they approach the halfway point. However, NBA insider Brian Windhorst reported that another team has become the new destination that many players’ agents are eager to see their clients join: the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers.

As of Tuesday, the Cavaliers held the best record in the league at 33-5, while the Celtics ranked second in the Eastern Conference with a 28-11 record.

Appearing on ESPN Cleveland, Windhorst shared that several agents have reached out to him, expressing that their players want to join the Cavaliers.

“Something interesting has happened this year with the Cavs,” Windhorst said. “I’ve had multiple agents tell me that their players want to play in Cleveland.”

“Part of it is because they know Dan Gilbert will spend money, and that if they trade for their client, their client can get paid. Part of it is they like the way the Cavs are playing and stuff like that. But that is an indication to me that they’re being well received. The way that they’re playing is being very well received.”

The Cavaliers’ success is largely driven by the four core players they retained from last season. Donovan Mitchell leads the team with 22.8 points, 4.5 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game, while his backcourt partner, Darius Garland, averages 20.9 ppg and 6.7 apg.

Up front, Evan Mobley contributes 18.9 ppg, 8.9 rpg and 3.0 apg, while Jarrett Allen adds 14.1 ppg and 10.2 rpg. They combine for 2.3 blocks per game.

Shaquille O’Neal thinks Cavaliers are the best team in the East over Celtics

Shaquille O’Neal, an NBA Hall of Famer who has played for both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics, believes the Cavaliers are the top team in the East this season, despite not proving it last year.

On Tuesday's "Inside the NBA", O’Neal stated that it’s hard to overlook what Mitchell and the Cavaliers have accomplished.

“I think (the Cavs are) the best team in the East,” O'Neal said (per ClutchPoints). “The way that this Donovan (Mitchell) kid is playing – I've been hard on (him) the last three years. Hard to the point to where people think I don't like him.”

The Cavaliers and Celtics have faced off twice this season, with each team winning one game. The two teams will meet twice in February.