The Cleveland Cavaliers have been arguably the biggest surprise of the 2021-22 season, in which they are 30-19 on the campaign and currently the third seed in the Eastern Conference after a signature win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.
Cleveland could have two potential hometown All-Stars in Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, both of whom appear to be franchise pillars for the club moving forward, and young big Evan Mobley looks to be the Rookie of the Year frontrunner. Mobley and Allen have formed quite a formidable duo in the frontcourt, particularly defensively, and that tandem is the key reason why Cleveland has the league’s third-ranked defense, in relation to defensive rating this season.
Nonetheless, while I do firmly believe the Cavaliers should make their first postseason appearance without LeBron James since 1998 this season, objectively, the club could use a boost this season via trade. That’s based on the injuries that have transpired within the group.
The Cavs have been without Collin Sexton since early November because of a meniscus tear, and while he could reportedly make a return for a postseason run, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, it’s difficult to know just what to expect in that scenario. For Sexton’s long term outlook, I’d rather that not play out, anyway.
The Cavaliers have been without Ricky Rubio since late December due to a torn ACL, too, and recently, Lauri Markkanen, who had been rolling, sustained a high ankle sprain. He’s expected to be out for reportedly at least a couple of weeks, as of earlier this week.
Regarding rumored potential trade targets for Cleveland, names such as Caris LeVert, Terrence Ross, Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, Kyle Anderson, Eric Gordon and Joe Ingles have seemingly been mentioned. Among that group, I’d be on-board with Ross, Hield, Barnes or Anderson.
That said, as far as another possible guy that’d seem sensible for the Cavs to target, it seems Robert Covington of the Portland Trail Blazers is of that ilk. According to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, Cleveland has been one of several clubs that have reportedly reached out to Portland about Covington’s services, and he’s established himself as a quality 3-and-D player over the years.
Covington is obviously a meaningful player for Portland, and has filled in for them as their starting 4 the last two seasons, following a trade acquisition from the Houston Rockets.
The Blazers are a club that’s currently in the 10th seed in the Western Conference, but it’s difficult to see them firmly holding a play-in spot, as Damian Lillard might not be back this season, and Portland has been up and down, largely due to injuries; CJ McCollum recently returned from an extended absence. And Nassir Little, who’d been turning a corner, reportedly tore his labrum, and will likely miss the rest of the season.
Covington is on an expiring deal, also, and with Portland’s inconsistencies, it might behoove them to trade Covington and perhaps salary filler, such as another veteran that’s expiring in Tony Snell, for example, in exchange for Rubio’s contract and draft pick(s). Cleveland is reportedly shopping that sort of package for a “significant wing,” per Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
A possible Rubio deal with Portland might not be something they’d have a ton of interest in, given Rubio’s set to be on the books for $17.8 million this season, and the Blazers, per Fischer, seem looking to dodge the luxury tax.
But based on Fischer’s report, with Portland possibly looking to make other moves, they could find ways to get out of tax territory, anyhow. And if they’re able, perhaps a deal with Cleveland we alluded to, featuring a 2022 lottery protected first, regarding this next season, could draw their interest with the Rubio contract. It’s not clear if Covington is a player will eventually stick around with Portland.
Now, the Cavs were reportedly granted an $8.9 million Disabled Player Exception, per Kelsey Russo of The Athletic, that they can use by March 10, but if they were to deal Rubio’s contract first, that’d kibosh that possibility of using that. But for Cleveland, I do believe using Rubio’s contract in deals is probably a sensible decision, with picks.
So, to Fischer’s report, does Covington fit that “significant wing” mold, and should the Cavaliers pull the trigger if a deal is a possibility, or should they be more interested in other targets, albeit ones that might cost more legit members of the rotation?
We’ll discuss that for the Cavs further here.
First, we’ll examine Covington’s potential on-floor impact for Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and the team’s newly-promoted president of basketball ops Koby Altman.