3 trade targets for the Cavs to upgrade their forward depth

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Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images /

The Cleveland Cavaliers exit the offseason in something of a peculiar situation. They have three dynamic young stars, a handful of other hyper-talented players and plenty of depth. Collin Sexton remains unsigned, but it’s very likely he eventually returns to the Cavs, even if it’s just for one year on the qualifying offer.

For all of that depth and talent, however, the Cavs have built a team from the outside in, and failed to truly meet in the middle. Out of 18 players (including Sexton and their two-way players) they have three point guards, five shooting guards, five power forwards and three centers – and just two “small forwards”, both of whom are likely to be outside the rotation next season (Cedi Osman and Dylan Windler).

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a talented roster, but it’s weak in the middle. What players could the Cavs trade for to upgrade their forward depth?

Last season the Cavs played big, pushing those power forwards up the lineup. Lauri Markkanen was the preferred starter as a seven-footer, and Dean Wade tended to start when he was either out or starting at the 4. This season the Cavs could swing a bit in the other direction, playing Caris LeVert or Ochai Agbaji at the 3.

None of those are bad choices on the surface, but what the Cavs need is forward depth to give this coaching staff more options at small forward. “Go big” or “go small” don’t need to be the only options; what about “be balanced’? Playing Wade is the closest to that the Cavs have in their regular rotation.

Along those lines, here are three forward options the Cavs could bring in to bolster their depth. The first two are combo forwards, like Wade, players who can play the 3 or the 4; the last option is a wing, a true 3 whose secondary position would be shooting guard. None of these players necessarily unlock some sort of new reality for the Cavs, but they would be a step towards building better forward depth and not stretching the roster too much from the outsides. Let’s take a look.