3 trade candidates for Cavs using Disabled Player Exception

3 trade candidates for Cavs: Garrison Mathews

Now we circle back to a player who is something of a sore subject for us here at King James Gospel. Garrison Mathews was a perfect 3-and-D wing for the Washington Wizards last season, and was an unrestricted free agent this summer after the Wizards revoked his qualifying offer to complete their massive five-team trade.

We recommended, implored, highlighted and begged the Cavs to sign him, a tough defender with a willing and accurate shot. He was the perfect fit to complement Ricky Rubio in bench lineups, insurance if Cedi Osman didn’t bounce back, a low-cost but high-impact role player who hung around on the market for weeks. Perhaps the Cavs did reach out and he turned them down, but given that he is on a two-way contract now with the Houston Rockets, it seems likely that a small guarantee and a roster spot would have been enough to bring him in.

Instead, Denzel Valentine got the spot, and Mathews ended up on the Houston Rockets. He hasn’t played a ton because he is on a two-way contract and the Rockets are flush with young guards they want to give minutes to — and an old one in Eric Gordon they apparently can’t stop giving minutes to — but he already has hit some big shots for the team, playing significant minutes in their two wins this past week that halted a 15-game losing streak.

A rebuilding (tanking) team like the Rockets should be willing sellers, and the Cavs don’t have to cut Valentine to bring in Mathews; they can have both with the DPE. Mathews is both an accurate (38.7 percent career shooter from deep) and willing (9.3 3PA per 36) shooter, and he is a tough defender as well. He could be a part of the rotation immediately, whether that is replacing Dylan Windler or lowering Isaac Okoro’s minutes. He will help space the court and can be paired with Darius Garland because of his defensive chops.

None of these options are gangbuster moves, and none of them will come close to replacing Collin Sexton. No one can, but especially not players available at half of his salary. Yet the Cavs can shore up on weakness on their team by using it, and there are a few wing shooters out there who fit the bill.