After missing out on the NBA playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers should pursue trades this offseason to improve their roster. The young talent is there in Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, as well as veteran talent, but the team is still missing a couple of pieces before they can be considered a playoff lock.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Two Trades to Consider
Adding Point Guard Depth
Cleveland Cavaliers receive Kemba Walker.
New York Knicks receive Moses Brown (via sign-and-trade) and a second-round pick.
Garland is already ascending up the league’s point guard ladder. He was a first-time All-Star this past season, and plenty more appearances are bound to happen throughout his career. It’s clear that the Cavaliers have their future wrapped around the player.
What Cleveland doesn’t have, however, is a sense of reliability behind Garland. Rajon Rondo was the primary back-up this past season. Walker is unwanted in New York, so Cleveland should jump in. Sure, Walker is older and not the All-Star he once was, but he can provide solid bench minutes. More than that, he’s a leader and can further mentor Garland.
Mitchell Robinson is an impending free agent, Nerlens Noel will be attractive in the trade market, and Taj Gibson is past his prime. For this reason, the Knicks can look to add center depth. Brown shows flashes of serious potential here and there and is a nice young asset to have. He isn’t sorely needed in Cleveland due to having Mobley and Allen both on the roster. In addition, New York gets a second-round pick.
Letting Go of a Questionable Fit
Cleveland Cavaliers receive Doug McDermott and Romeo Langford.
San Antonio Spurs receive Collin Sexton (via sign-and-trade).
Sexton is set to hit free agency this summer. His fit alongside Garland never looked ideal, and the Cavaliers did quite well with Sexton sidelined. This makes a potential departure easier to consider, but the Cavaliers should still look to get something out of it.
San Antonio lays claim to a star in Dejounte Murray. The Spurs have plenty of other solid young pieces, but perhaps it’s time to add another scoring punch alongside Murray. Murray isn’t much of a shooter, so Sexton’s scoring prowess can fit next to him.
Cleveland adds solid depth in McDermott. This season he averaged over 11 points per game and shot over 42 percent from three. McDermott won’t fill up the box score every night, but he brings in reliable scoring and excellent shooting. He’ll only add to this Cavaliers offense, as well as serve as a primary back-up to Lauri Markkanen. Cleveland’s bench needs improvement, and McDermott certainly needs this.
Finally, the Cavaliers also get Langford. The starting shooting guard spot belongs to Caris LeVert, as Cleveland just traded for him this past deadline. Langford has always struggled for time in the league, but he was a lottery pick not too long ago. Cedi Osman is a decent bench player for the team, so Langford can compete for minutes with Lamar Stevens as well as Dylan Windler.
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