Although Cleveland Cavaliers’ President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman said that dramatic changes weren’t coming to Cleveland’s roster, he also stressed that the Cavs cannot remain complacent after this season. To Altman, Cleveland cannot rest on the laurels of success that come with reaching the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Instead, the Cavs need to remain competitive and find opportunities to improve their roster this offseason, whether it’s through free agency, trades, or the 2024 NBA Draft.
But if Cleveland isn’t looking to dramatically change things, meaning not trading any of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, or Jarrett Allen, then what trades can they make? Well, instead of going for bigger names, the Cavs will be working on the margins, finding possible upgrades by trading their existing roleplayers or any remaining draft picks.
Thankfully, Cleveland has some fairly realistic paths to accomplish its goals and continue building around its core four. Granted, it may require multiple teams to make a trade happen, but when the dust settles and the offseason truly begins, there are three trade proposals that the Cavs should focus their sights on the trade market.
Who could the Cavs focus on trading for this offseason?
Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent (7) moves the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena.
Trade #1 – Moving back in the 2024 NBA Draft:
Cleveland Cavaliers Obtain: Deni Avdija, Pick No. 26, 2024 NBA Draft
Washington Wizards Obtain: Caris LeVert, Pick No. 20, 2024 NBA Draft, 2025 Second-Round Pick (via Cleveland), 2025 Second-Round Pick (Via Milwaukee)
While it might seem like a lot for the Cavs to move back six spots on the night of the 2024 NBA Draft, the real prize is getting back Avdija, a forward who answers some of their needs. At 6’9” and 210 pounds, Avdija possesses the size and strength to defend multiple positions and is a reliable outside shooter, boasting a 37 percent three-point shooting average last season.
After coming off his best season, where he averaged 14.7 points on 50 percent shooting, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game for the woeful Wizards, Avdija could slot in nicely as either a starter or coming off the bench for Cleveland. The Cavs can also grab a prospect that can immediately contribute, like California’s Jaylon Tyson, while Washington can obtain more financial flexibility with LeVert’s expiring contract and can grab a better prospect with the No. 20 pick.
Trade #2 – Burning down Cleveland’s remaining draft capital:
Cleveland Cavaliers Obtain: Mikal Bridges, Gabe Vincent
Brooklyn Nets Obtain: Isaac Okoro (sign and trade), Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Christian Wood, Pick No. 20, 2024 NBA Draft, 2025 First-Round Pick (via Los Angeles), 2030 First-Round Pick (via Cleveland), 2025 Second-Round Pick (via Cleveland), 2025 Second-Round Pick (Via Milwaukee), 2027 Second-Round Pick (via Cleveland), 2027 Second-Round Pick (Via Denver), 2028 Second-Round Pick (via Cleveland)
Los Angeles Lakers Obtain: Cam Johnson, Sam Merrill
This is a lot to digest since the Nets are getting nearly every draft pick the Cavs have left. But Brooklyn owner Joe Tsai did admit the Nets are at a crossroads between trying to contend and rebuilding.
What matters most is that Cleveland can get Bridges, a legitimate fifth star, to join their core four and Gabe Vincent, someone who can properly play backup point guard behind Darius Garland, all while still being able to keep Max Strus, one of their most important roleplayers. Sure, it would also cost the Cavs Okoro, LeVert, Niang and Merrill to land Bridges and Vincent. But, with the tight margins that the Cavs have to work in, the hardest sacrifices may require the strongest will.
Trade #3 – Cavs get spacing at power forward:
Cleveland Cavaliers Obtain: Cameron Johnson
Brooklyn Nets Obtain: Isaac Okoro (sign and trade), Trey Lyles, Davion Mitchell, 2028 First-Round Pick (via Sacramento), 2025 Second-Round Pick (via Cleveland), 2027 Second-Round Pick (via Cleveland)
Sacramento Kings Obtain: Caris LeVert, 2028 First-Round Pick (via Brooklyn)
While it may take the Cavs giving up the rest of the farm to get Bridges from the Nets, landing Johnson shouldn’t cost them nearly as much. On paper, Johnson gives Cleveland exactly what they need in a bigger, floor-spacing wing that can play either forward position. Meanwhile, the Kings get a scoring punch off the bench in LeVert, which they also desperately need. Finally, the Nets get two younger players to continue building around in Okoro and Mitchell, all while getting draft picks to continue building in the future.
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