Cavs: A counter to Piston Powered’s CLE-DET trade proposal

The 2021 NBA Draft is approaching on July 29, and then, the Cleveland Cavaliers should be poised to land a big-time prospect, such as Jalen Green or Evan Mobley. Those are the two players that Cleveland could seemingly have the highest likelihood of taking for now.

The Cavaliers are one of four clubs that have reportedly explored what it might take to trade up to the #1 spot in the draft though, as KJG’s John Suchan hit on, and of which the Detroit Pistons have. This stems from Detroit general manager Troy Weaver being rumored to not be just automatically sold on Cade Cunningham being the presumptive #1 selection, for one, and the Cavs have their #3 pick, and feasibly a few future picks to potentially add to a deal.

A source did reportedly state to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor that something along the lines of the #3 pick, to go with a future unprotected first and “maybe” one of Collin Sexton, Darius Garland or Isaac Okoro could seemingly lead to consideration.

Nonetheless, with how talented Cunningham is, with his positional versatility, 6-foot-8 size, shooting abilities, playmaking feel/vision and defensive upside, and with how he could play a variety of roles, it’s still difficult to foresee a trade up being that realistic.

That said, the Cavaliers again should be able to land a difference-making player in feasibly Mobley or Green, most notably.

Along with that, perhaps Cleveland could be able to utilize Sexton, who is reportedly “very available” via trade, to land an additional meaningful first-round pick. The Cavs and New Orleans Pelicans were reportedly said to have preliminary talks involving Sexton, and with New Orleans rumored to consider moving their #10 pick for a vet who could help now, maybe that could be Sexton and perhaps Nickeil Alexander-Walker?

That might be unrealistic, but if the Cavs do truly seek out moving Sexton, I could foresee that sort of thing being of interest for both sides, maybe.

In any case, although the Cavaliers should land a big-time prospect in the 2021 NBA Draft, they could seemingly look to add a meaningful piece or perhaps two in free agency this offseason as well. Potential mid-level exception targets such as T.J. McConnell, Patty Mills, Doug McDermott or Reggie Bullock come to mind, for one.

That said, perhaps Cleveland could make a trade or two in the offseason also, more of the minor variety not involving Sexton, for example.

To that point, Aaron Kellerstrass of one of our FanSided NBA sites, Piston Powered, suggested the following trade involving the Pistons and Cavs:

To that suggestion, while I get where Kellerstrass is coming from in theory, with what Wade demonstrated last season as a promising catch-and-shoot player, quality defender and with how he can help be a notable outlet for drivers, I’d personally pass on this one.

Even in a deep draft, I’d rather keep Wade around, and though he is set to be non-guaranteed for the next two seasons, I firmly believe he should stick and even if Cleveland’s healthier next season, he should again have a role. The 24-year-old was a bright spot for the Cavs last season, and hit 36.6 percent of his 3.4 three-point attempts per outing; his off-ball viability jumped out, too, and I don’t discount that.

So personally, I’d pass on that deal. In a deep 2021 NBA Draft, I do get Kellerstrass’ reasoning, but I’d rather go with the familiarity play and decline.

Keeping with the subject though, a counter proposal I believe could be as follows:

From here, we’ll examine why both the Pistons and Cavs would be wise to consider the above trade.

We’ll begin with the Detroit perspective.