2 potential versions of Jae Crowder trade for Cavs

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Caris LeVert, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports) /

2 potential versions of Jae Crowder trade for Cavs: Trading Caris LeVert

This path is a bit trickier to pave, but it’s certainly going to be a scenario the two teams talk about if they advance into tangible trade discussions. The odd one out in the Cavs’ core is Caris LeVert, something that was true when they traded two strong picks for him in February and even more so now that Donovan Mitchell is in town.

Yet LeVert is a talented playmaker and can score in the midrange. The Suns got caught in the playoffs last year by a Dallas Mavericks team that sold out to stop Chris Paul and Devin Booker, and with no other shot creators on the roster the Suns floundered. Adding LeVert gives them a third option to turn to in such scenarios, and another option to ease the burden on Chris Paul during the regular season.

The difficulty here is twofold. First, how highly do the Cavs still value LeVert? Will they demand a first-round pick to move him? The value of Crowder is greater for Cleveland than many teams, which might make this close enough for the Cavs to say yes.

The other problem is financial. LeVert makes $18.7 million this season, and Crowder makes $10.1. Bridging the gap means including Torrey Craig, Landry Shamet or perhaps Dario Saric. The Cavs don’t need a small combo guard in Shamet, and Saric is more expensive and wouldn’t have much of a role either. Craig is the player that fits best, yet that means the Suns are adding $3.4 million to their payroll and losing their second and third-best perimeter defenders (behind Mikal Bridges). They agree to this construction only if they have confidence in Dario Saric playing minutes at the 4.

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In the end, the Cedi Osman construction likely makes more sense for both sides. It would give the Suns some depth and players who can plausibly help them right now, and the Cavs get their solution at small forward. Crowder and Evan Mobley would be an incredible defensive combination at the two forward spots. Will a deal get done? That’s a question shrouded in much more mystery.