Three trades the Cleveland Cavaliers can make to acquire Marc Gasol

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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 24: Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on November 24, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1.) Tristan Thompson, Iman Shumpert, plus Brooklyn Nets pick (protected 1-9)

Under the rules, the Cavs can put protections under the Nets pick; when discussing trades involving Gasol, that is huge. He’s valuable, but if the Nets pick ends up being a top 7 pick, Gasol wouldn’t be worth the exchange.

According to the NBA Trade Machine, this will project Cavs +4 wins.By doing this trade, the Cavs get out of the contracts of Iman Shumpert, who is essentially an expiring contract and Tristan Thompson. Trading Thompson is risky, as he is close friends with LeBron James and both James and Thompson share the same agent —‚Rich Paul.

This also gives the Cavs a little bit of wiggle room using one of the trade exceptions they have to add another player to a trade with the extra roster spot.

The Cavaliers do not lose rebounding like most would assume when Thompson is sent away. A front court of Gasol and Love, and one possible going onto playing with the second unit, should be dominant.

This is the most likely trade. The Grizzlies would have a hard time going into a complete rebuild with Conley under such a ginormous contract, so acquiring Thompson to help stabilize their front court could be of interest for Memphis.