3 reasons a Kevin Durant trade would affect the Cavs

3 reasons a Durant trade would affect Cavs: A trade opportunity

Less than two years ago, All-Star guard James Harden forced his way off of the Houston Rockets. As part of the trade negotiations the Nets needed to get another first-round pick to add to the deal, as the Rockets weren’t interested in Jarrett Allen. Enter the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Cavs used some salary flotsam and a first-round pick to bring Allen to their roster instead, and the results were phenomenal. He signed a long-term deal and then followed it up with an All-Star berth. He has developed already into a solid two-way level and will probably be a starter for a long time.

Allen isn’t on the Cavs if the Rockets wanted him, but their peculiar decision to prioritize Christian Wood over Allen meant that the Cavs added a great player. A deal for Durant could do the same, with the Cavs able to step in and snatch up a player lost in the mix.

The Cavs aren’t going to trade for Kevin Durant, but that doesn’t mean the deal will leave them unaffected. Whether it’s manipulating the playoff layout or adding themselves into a trade, the Cavs can use a superstar deal with Durant to improve their roster and set expectations for moving forward.