3 worthwhile trades that would flip LeVert for a starting small forward

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a top-10 option at four of the five positions in their starting lineup. That’s a wild reality. Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are all extremely talented and will lock down their respective positions for years to come.

The one remaining spot, however, is a massive question mark. Lauri Markkanen started last season at small forward, but he is gone now, traded to the Utah Jazz as part of the Mitchell package. Isaac Okoro is too small, Caris LeVert a poor fit and Dean Wade doesn’t have much upside. That’s the weak spot of the team and the reason they may not turn this trade into something special.

The Cleveland Cavaliers need a small forward, and they need to trade Caris LeVert. What starting 3s around the league could the Cavs flip LeVert for?

We detailed why Caris LeVert is such a poor fit, and concluded that the Cavs have to trade him. Ideally that trade would bring back a player who can start at the 3 for this team. That player needs to be comfortable defending multiple positions, a plus shooter and ideally not exceptionally old so they can stick around for a few years.

That archetype of player is the most valuable role player in the league, the quintessential 3-and-D wing. The Cavs have mostly unloaded their chest of assets in acquiring Mitchell, but perhaps LeVert plus a few second-round picks could get something done. None of these trades are necessarily likely, but they are possible.

Can the Cavs flip LeVert for a starting small forward? Let’s look at the best candidates likely to be available.