2 trades for Cavs to consider to solidify themselves as contenders

A hypothetical trade to consider with the Jazz

The Utah Jazz were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. It continues their recent string of often short appearances. Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, who many people consider to be a superstar, was unable to show what he can do deep into the playoffs. This should be the final straw for Mitchell and he should request a trade out of Utah.

Now, Mitchell has not done so to this point, but with how things have shaken out with Utah in recent seasons, and rumors surrounding the team throughout the season, a potential trade request from Mitchell doesn’t seem far-fetched. Here’s the deal we believe could interest both sides, particularly in that scenario.

A backcourt pairing of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell would be special. Especially when you think about those two being paired with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. The Garland-Allen pick-and-roll (PnR) was deadly this now-past season. If you add Mitchell into the mix, look out! Donovan can hit the mid-range shot, so it would give Garland more options.

Adding Donovan Mitchell would also take some of the load off of Darius Garland. There were way too many points in the season where everything was on Garland, and that clearly wore him down.

Since Mitchell can score 25+ points in his sleep, the defense wouldn’t be able to hone in on Garland. So if it’s a close game in the fourth quarter and it’s coming down to the final few minutes, Garland wouldn’t feel like he has to make every single play. In addition, Mitchell as a combo guard is a more than capable passer, that can create for others in crunch time as well.

The new small forward would be Caris LeVert in this case. LeVert is a capable shooter when open, and he’s a good mid-range pull-up guy who can also attack the basket. He should be able to coexist with those two both being good passers, and Mobley being a solid one in his own right.

Utah would get multiple young pieces, including something of a replacement for Mitchell in Collin Sexton. I acknowledge Sexton isn’t Mitchell of course.

To make the money work Sexton would need to command a substantial salary from the Jazz in a sign-and-trade that saw him land in Utah. In this case, a four-year, $70 million or so deal, with Sexton coming off a meniscus tear doesn’t seem outside the realm of possibility. This is also with Jordan Clarkson’s deal factored into things for Utah, for what it’s worth.

Isaac Okoro, lastly, is unproven, but is a capable defender, and could become a nice piece if he develops further offensively in coming years.

And lastly, the future draft pick compensation is sends Utah a 2025 first that’s top-10 protected from Cleveland, as a sweetener for Mitchell, and Utah sends Cleveland a 2025 second.

From there, we’ll examine a potential Cleveland trade with the Washington Wizards.