Cavaliers Trade Ideas: 2022-23 regular season edition

[adam81king]

Hell he would've been better than levert. Even at his age now if we needed a bucket I'd trust him over levert.

Sooo...youre going to bat with Melo guarding Trae Young in a game your season depends on? Sheesh.

The lineup with Levert, DG, Lauri, EV and JA, if i remember correctly, was the most efficient and effective lineup of the season (very small sample size, though). Individual points dont impress me if the team doesnt win (do well). Swapping out one player for another, especially when they play different positions/roles doesnt equate to a seamless swap of stats.

 

[CavsKermit]

Hell he would've been better than levert. Even at his age now if we needed a bucket I'd trust him over levert.

Trae would've scored 100 points if we had Melo on him and instead of LeVert. Also, Melo puts up plenty of stinkers offensively when his shot isn't falling and it doesn't stop him from shooting.

 

[cavsfever]

The Knicks have 11 FRPs in it’s arsenal! Plus young exposable talent!! Nobody (short of giving up a superstar) can put together a better package than the Knicks!

Somebody apparently can LOL!

 

[MirORich]

MirO's In Season Trade Primer:

I'm going to try to stay away from player names and proposals and talk on a more conceptual level about some unwritten rules that while occasionally are broken, almost always apply to In Season Trades:

1. In the beginning of the season, about 22-24 either actually believe they can make the playoffs or present that to their fanbase. Pretty much all of these teams will not be looking to see good role players until at least January when some of them realize/accept they are not playoff contenders.

2. You will rarely see an in season trade between two teams in the same conference involving established quality players. Yes, there are always exceptions because of weirdos like Ben Simmons for example.

3. It's a little more common for an EC contender to trade with a WC contender in season, but still difficult because both teams are looking to make additive trades that help their postseason chances, not neutral trades or acquire future asset trades.

Based on those three concepts, when looking at players who you like as a fit around Mobley, Garland, Mitchell, and Allen, I think the tiers are as follows:

Eastern Conference:

1. Almost NIL chance you will make an in season trade at any point in the season: ATL, BOS, MIA, MIL, PHI, TOR, BKN, CHI

2. Would only trade with you if their season doesn't go as planned: CHA, NY, WAS

3. Open for business on their role playing vets at any time: DET, ORL, IND

Western Conference:

1. Possible but hard to make a deal that works as additive for both teams: GS, DEN, MEM, PHX, LAC

2. Could trade surprising players if they're disappointed in Feb: NOP, SAC, POR, MIN, DAL

3. Open for business on their role playing vets at any time: HOU, OKC, SAS, UTAH

4. Who gives a rat's ass: LAL

This is not a straight ranking of the teams in each conference. It's more based on how they see themselves at the start of the season and how that affects their likelihood of being open to doing the type of deal we may want to make like trading guys like Okoro, Windler, Cedi, & LeVert + 2nd rounders in hopes of finding legit playoff quality role players.

Obviously plenty will disagree with some or all of my assertions, but I think they make sense and are backed up by recent historical trends in the NBA. I think it's wisest and most realistic to focus on teams like DET, SAS, UTAH as in season trade partners and then the list expands (very little I like that makes sense on some rosters like HOU, OKC, IND and some others) later in the year as some teams have disappointing seasons and begin to turn their attention more to the draft and 2023 FA

 

[CavsKermit]

MirO's In Season Trade Primer:

I'm going to try to stay away from player names and proposals and talk on a more conceptual level about some unwritten rules that while occasionally are broken, almost always apply to In Season Trades:

1. In the beginning of the season, about 22-24 either actually believe they can make the playoffs or present that to their fanbase. Pretty much all of these teams will not be looking to see good role players until at least January when some of them realize/accept they are not playoff contenders.

2. You will rarely see an in season trade between two teams in the same conference involving established quality players. Yes, there are always exceptions because of weirdos like Ben Simmons for example.

3. It's a little more common for an EC contender to trade with a WC contender in season, but still difficult because both teams are looking to make additive trades that help their postseason chances, not neutral trades or acquire future asset trades.

Based on those three concepts, when looking at players who you like as a fit around Mobley, Garland, Mitchell, and Allen, I think the tiers are as follows:

Eastern Conference:

1. Almost NIL chance you will make an in season trade at any point in the season: ATL, BOS, MIA, MIL, PHI, TOR, BKN, CHI

2. Would only trade with you if their season doesn't go as planned: CHA, NY, WAS

3. Open for business on their role playing vets at any time: DET, ORL, IND

Western Conference:

1. Possible but hard to make a deal that works as additive for both teams: GS, DEN, MEM, PHX, LAC

2. Could trade surprising players if they're disappointed in Feb: NOP, SAC, POR, MIN, DAL

3. Open for business on their role playing vets at any time: HOU, OKC, SAS, UTAH

4. Who gives a rat's ass: LAL

This is not a straight ranking of the teams in each conference. It's more based on how they see themselves at the start of the season and how that affects their likelihood of being open to doing the type of deal we may want to make like trading guys like Okoro, Windler, Cedi, & LeVert + 2nd rounders in hopes of finding legit playoff quality role players.

Obviously plenty will disagree with some or all of my assertions, but I think they make sense and are backed up by recent historical trends in the NBA. I think it's wisest and most realistic to focus on teams like DET, SAS, UTAH as in season trade partners and then the list expands (very little I like that makes sense on some rosters like HOU, OKC, IND and some others) later in the year as some teams have disappointing seasons and begin to turn their attention more to the draft and 2023 FA

The very real problem the Cavs have now is that their best opportunity to really upgrade their SF position is via F.A., and their best remaining trade asset, outside of their core players, is future cap space.

This necessarily means that if we trade LeVert, Cedi, Love, and possibly Windler if we decline his option, for future salary, we're taking ourselves out of the free agent market. I think we have to take our medicine this season and hope to land one of Hunter or Wiggins next summer, with Burks, Bullock, or Reddish being the consolation prizes.

I suppose you could swap Love and Windler for Hayward if you have more faith in Hayward's health than I do. Then in the summer of 2024, you can swing big for O.G. or Brown.

But the Cavs failing to insist on retaining one of Lauri or Agbaji in the Mitchell trade is going to likely hurt this season.

 

[MirORich]

The very real problem the Cavs have now is that their best opportunity to really upgrade their SF position is via F.A., and their best remaining trade asset, outside of their core players, is future cap space.

This necessarily means that if we trade LeVert, Cedi, Love, and possibly Windler if we decline his option, for future salary, we're taking ourselves out of the free agent market. I think we have to take our medicine this season and hope to land one of Hunter or Wiggins next summer, with Burks, Bullock, or Reddish being the consolation prizes.

I suppose you could swap Love and Windler for Hayward if you have more faith in Hayward's health than I do. Then in the summer of 2024, you can swing big for O.G. or Brown.

But the Cavs failing to insist on retaining one of Lauri or Agbaji in the Mitchell trade is going to likely hurt this season.

If we use one of those guys to get a true upgrade at SF, that is more than worth the loss in cap space.

At that point, the Cavs would also be one of the prime contenders who the best role playing FA’s consider for the MLE, which can be used while way over the cap

 

[CavsKermit]

If we use one of those guys to get a true upgrade at SF, that is more than worth the loss in cap space.

At that point, the Cavs would also be one of the prime contenders who the best role playing FA’s consider for the MLE, which can be used while way over the cap

The only potential true upgrade you're getting for any combination of those guys is Hayward, and only because no one really trust him to stay healthy anymore. Maybe Cedi, a second, and Windler get you Burks at the deadline, but that's not a true upgrade.

 

[adam81king]

I would love to send Levert to San Antonio for Doug McBuckets and Jordan Hall. Helps the Spurs tank and saves them salary next year (Caris is an UFA after the season).

 

[CavsKermit]

I would love to send Levert to San Antonio for Doug McBuckets and Jordan Hall. Helps the Spurs tank and saves them salary next year (Caris is an UFA after the season).

Dean Wade is a better option at SF than McDermott. McDermott's defense is so bad he's barely playable off the bench.

 

[sportscoach]

Dean Wade is a better option at SF than McDermott. McDermott's defense is so bad he's barely playable off the bench.

If LeVert can net us a starting SF, then it's not a bad move. Now I don't think I want McDermott as a starter... He has been good in the 20ish minute a game role, so we still have to have someone to pair with him.

Is there a starting SF that we can legitimately get using LeVerts contract? @adam81king as well....

If you did get McDermott how would you out him in the rotation?

 

[adam81king]

If LeVert can net us a starting SF, then it's not a bad move. Now I don't think I want McDermott as a starter... He has been good in the 20ish minute a game role, so we still have to have someone to pair with him.

Is there a starting SF that we can legitimately get using LeVerts contract? @adam81king as well....

If you did get McDermott how would you out him in the rotation?

While it would be exciting to get a guy like Kawhi, Lebron or PG, that may be overkill, and is entirely unlikely.

*My* view of the SF position for *this* team is to get a competent and confident shooter to keep defenses honest and help the spacing for the other 4 guys on the floor. Being a quality defender would be a nice trait. Being a capable playmaker would be another helpful trait. Someone mentioned Dorian Finney-Smith, and i think his shooting (40% on 3s the last couple years) and versatile defense would be ideal. Hes not going anywhere, though.

For me, the archetype I'd be looking for is a Nic Batum-type. Joe Ingles-ish. High IQ. Low ego. Can hit tough shots and take some pressure off others. Now, who fits that role that plays today and could be available without needing draft compensation? I dont really know, but i think its a short list. Doug is a shooter/scorer from the wing and i think his circumstances could make him available cheaply. Jordan Hall was the long term get in that deal for me because of his positional versatility and playmaking.

 

[sportscoach]

While it would be exciting to get a guy like Kawhi, Lebron or PG, that may be overkill, and is entirely unlikely.

*My* view of the SF position for *this* team is to get a competent and confident shooter to keep defenses honest and help the spacing for the other 4 guys on the floor. Being a quality defender would be a nice trait. Being a capable playmaker would be another helpful trait. Someone mentioned Dorian Finney-Smith, and i think his shooting (40% on 3s the last couple years) and versatile defense would be ideal. Hes not going anywhere, though.

For me, the archetype I'd be looking for is a Nic Batum-type. Joe Ingles-ish. High IQ. Low ego. Can hit tough shots and take some pressure off others. Now, who fits that role that plays today and could be available without needing draft compensation? I dont really know, but i think its a short list. Doug is a shooter/scorer from the wing and i think his circumstances could make him available cheaply. Jordan Hall was the long term get in that deal for me because of his positional versatility and playmaking.

About Jordan Hall, I get the idea of the move, but why was he not drafted if he's got that upside? I didn't see anywhere that said he was drafted. I know basketball is two rounds (so it's easy to fall through the cracks), I am just figuring out why he fell through?

On paper, I am not sure if moving LeVert for McDermott is going to help either. We gave up a lot for Mitchell, now the asset pool is kind of dried up... I think if LeVert is moved, it will be near the trade deadline to a team that's out of contention and he then gets bought out. Cleveland would put up a player with a heavy contract to fill in a need. Cleveland does have some money coming off the books I believe with Love as well. Now not sure it's gonna get them low enough to sign someone, but it's possible it could, but that's for next season.

 

[CavsKermit]

About Jordan Hall, I get the idea of the move, but why was he not drafted if he's got that upside? I didn't see anywhere that said he was drafted. I know basketball is two rounds (so it's easy to fall through the cracks), I am just figuring out why he fell through?

On paper, I am not sure if moving LeVert for McDermott is going to help either. We gave up a lot for Mitchell, now the asset pool is kind of dried up... I think if LeVert is moved, it will be near the trade deadline to a team that's out of contention and he then gets bought out. Cleveland would put up a player with a heavy contract to fill in a need. Cleveland does have some money coming off the books I believe with Love as well. Now not sure it's gonna get them low enough to sign someone, but it's possible it could, but that's for next season.

J. Rich is the only target we should consider if we're talking to the Spurs.

 

[NMCav]

J. Rich is the only target we should consider if we're talking to the Spurs.

We shouldn't even target Richardson. Aside from 2 seasons his entire career has been pretty shitty. Both the Sixers and Mavs dumped him for bad performances after 1 year. Celtics gave up on him after half a season. His numbers got better in Boston and SA then he had in either Philly or Dallas. But he's not a SF, he's not a good defender and he's not an elite shooter. I don't see how he fits at all.

 

[adam81king]

We shouldn't even target Richardson. Aside from 2 seasons his entire career has been pretty shitty. Both the Sixers and Mavs dumped him for bad performances after 1 year. Celtics gave up on him after half a season. His numbers got better in Boston and SA then he had in either Philly or Dallas. But he's not a SF, he's not a good defender and he's not an elite shooter. I don't see how he fits at all.

Yeah. The Richardson love confused me, too...and I'm dumpster-diving for options.