The Cleveland Cavaliers' decision to fire Chris Grant and install David Griffin as interim general manager could make a favorable deal ahead of the deadline a more likely scenario.

Grant had spent the final months of his tenure as GM pitching one-sided deals to his peers from other teams, clearly overvaluing his young draft picks in offers for the likes of LaMarcus Aldridge, Anthony Davis and Andre Drummond. Few executives maintained the patience to listen to Grant's pitches.

Griffin, however, has stronger relationships with other front offices.

"[Griffin] excels at the trade deadline, so he'll have an immediate opportunity to impress [Cavs owner Dan Gilbert]," an Eastern Conference GM told Yahoo Sports.