3 trades the Cavs can still make before trade deadline

Trade No. 3:

Alright, this one is a little wild, but it makes sense for each team. The Philadelphia 76ers are trying to shed salary as quickly as possible in order to prove to Brooklyn they will be able to sign James Harden outright. They might wait until the offseason to do that, but given the lack of cap space they may elect to move now, leveraging the Nets to move Harden by the deadline rather than lose him for nothing this summer.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are significantly under the salary cap floor, meaning they can take on salary without sending much out. Kevin Love has rehabilitated his value to a significant extent this season, and the Thunder should be able to flip him this summer. Pangos, who seems to be heading out of the NBA, can be waived. The Thunder would get a 2nd from the Cavs and a first from Philly.

Finally, the Cavs. Kevin Love has somehow circled back to being fully beloved by the fan base after multiple sulky seasons. The Cavs are flush with big men, from Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley to stout 4s like Dean Wade and Lauri Markkanen. Moving Love for a player who can start at the 3 provides a better lineup balance. Harris is younger than Love and more versatile positionally.

This is a crazy trade, and it almost certainly won’t happen, but it’s ultimately a chance for the Cavs to sell high on Love and add another overpaid player who better fits long-term. Harris would juice the offense just as much as Love, if not more.

The Cavs are still working the phones, as they say, looking for the best trades available on the market ahead of the Trade Deadline. Whether they stand pat, make a trade or swing for the fences this deadline will be one to remember for the best Cavs team in years.