Cavs: What suggested trade target Frank Ntilikina could provide

At this juncture, we’re fully aware that Andre Drummond will no longer in game action for the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was agreed upon earlier in the week between Drummond/his camp and the Cavaliers that in his remaining time with the Cavs, that Drummond will not be playing in games with them anymore.

In terms of potential suitors, the Cavs and Toronto Raptors reportedly were in discussions involving a possible Drummond trade, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium (subscription required). And more recently, per a report from Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson of Heavy.com, the Cavs and Miami Heat discussed a Drummond deal.

Regarding other possible teams that are said to have interest, the Boston Celtics have a “strong” interest in Drummond, per Sam Amico of Forty Eight Minutes and OutKick. Evan Dammarell of Forbes and Fear The Sword reported that the New York Knicks have interest in Drummond as well.

As far as other potential next destinations for Drummond, Amico stated along with the Knicks, the “Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets,” and the LA Clippers do, “among several others.”

Nonetheless, in relation to the Raptors, though, Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca reported how the Raptors “aren’t actually interested in pursuing Drummond,” even while them being linked to him as a possible target as Grange seemingly hit on, would be sensible.

Granted, given Drummond’s $28.7 million salary for this season, moving him by the March 25 trade deadline isn’t the simplest task for the Cavs, and teams like the Brooklyn Nets (per Charania), it’d appear the Clippers and Heat would be more interested in Drummond via buyout. The Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks, as suggested by The Athletic‘s Jason Lloyd (subscription required) would be sensible suitors for Drummond via buyout, too, like the Heat seemingly and the Nets.

The Cavaliers don’t prefer that scenario, though, so we’ll see. But it’d still seem feasible that they could deal him, and Charania did express that while it could take a “while” to get a deal together, it could involve a number of teams, and I still believe Cleveland could make something happen.

As far as a potential/hypothetical deal, the aforementioned Dammarell suggested that the Knicks take in Drummond, and the Cavs receive Nerlens Noel, Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina and New York’s 2021 second-round pick (via the the Detroit Pistons).

For the Knicks, while I wouldn’t honestly expect them to put in that second-rounder, Drummond could help them out with Mitchell Robinson sidelined for a good bit yet because of a broken right hand, would be expiring and could be their starting 5 for a postseason push. Dammarell reported how having a veteran 5 the rest of this season would be New York’s preference, too.

Perhaps Drummond could be a long-term fit for them? That wouldn’t seem totally far-fetched, but we’d have to see.

For the Cavs, Noel, whose filled in really well as a backup 5 the past two seasons prior with the Oklahoma City Thunder as roller/screener/lob threat and heady team defender, could fill in behind Jarrett Allen, and would be effective than JaVale McGee overall I’d believe. Perhaps Cleveland could look to flip McGee from there, whose been a rumored trade candidate, anyhow.

Knox is a project player that’d be expiring after next season, but has hit 38.5 percent from three-point land in reserve minutes this season. Perhaps he could end up being more viable than Dean Wade, for example, who I’d expect Cleveland to waive if this deal were to occur before his guarantee date on Feb. 24.

Anyway, the key piece I’ll highlight here for the Cavs in this suggested Dammarell deal is Ntilikina, who hasn’t been a contributor really this season for New York, but I believe could be a notable one for Cleveland.

We’ll hit on what Ntilikina could provide for the Cavs here.

First, we’ll touch on the defensive end.