Two reasons for the Cleveland Cavaliers to trade back with the Clippers
By Dan Gilinsky
Cavs get rim protection and a future piece
The Cavaliers need to add rim protection this off-season.
That’s clear as day, and although not every team has the defensive versatility of the Warriors and Boston Celtics, many teams at least have some consistency either on the defensive perimeter or have the ability to alter shots near the rim.
The Cavs, if we are being objective, do not consistently have either of those. In the regular season, Cleveland ranked in the bottom ten in opponent paint points, and only three teams in the postseason gave up more paint points on average, per nba.com.
So, maybe bringing in DJ and either the 13th overall pick, while shipping out the Cavs’ 8th overall pick, Tristan Thompson and J.R. Smith could entice LA, as Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz suggested last month.
Offseason Trade Idea:
— Greg Swartz (@GregSwartzBR) May 18, 2018
Clippers and Cavs convince DeAndre Jordan to opt in to final year of his deal, send him and No. 13 pick to Cleveland for No. 8 pick, Tristan Thompson and JR Smith. LA gets Nos. 8 and 12 overall picks and off JR contract next summer.
If the Cavs do end up trading Kevin Love in a different blockbuster deal that would yield a secondary scoring option, Jordan could be a slight upgrade in the rebounding department, as he was second in the league in rebounds per game, and was first in total rebounding percentage among qualified players, per Basketball-Reference.
He’s a much better roll man than Love and is a violent rim runner that would feast while playing with James.
Other role Cavaliers could greatly benefit from his screening, too, both on and off-ball. DJ ranked ninth in screen assists per game last season, per nba.com. He’s similar to Thompson in screening effectiveness, but has much more ability above the rim as a finisher, and could help tutor Larry Nance Jr. in his development as a diving big.
The key would be getting Jordan to opt in to his nearly $24 million option for next season, but when would think if LeBron is in the picture for one year, that would be a high possibility, especially considering James could opt into his $35,607,969 option.
In relation to the 13th pick, the Cavaliers could land a playmaker such as the likes of Miami’s Lonnie Walker, Alabama’s Collin Sexton, or maybe go with a player with massive two-way potential in Kentucky’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.