The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to play very well this season, even weathering numerous injuries to stay afloat. Last year the Cavs were thinner and younger and more susceptible to player absences; this year they are much better equipped with players to step up, and when all else fails Donovan Mitchell can just drop 71 points to snag a win.
When the Cavs are at full strength, however, there is that one position that still looks out of place: the starting small forward. Dean Wade is probably the best in-house option, and Lamar Stevens has received plenty of run there, but ultimately (whether this season or next) the Cavs need a true 3-and-D option at the position.
Given the Cavs’ youth and success already this season it’s very reasonable to think that they might hang tight this year and see how things go, but ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported that league sources expect the Cavs to “search the trade market for another short-term wing option.” Who might that player be? There are certainly plenty of options.
The Cleveland Cavaliers could call the Atlanta Hawks about an upgrade on the wing.
One such option is on the Atlanta Hawks, a player who doesn’t seem to be a part of their core and could be available on the market. On NBA Insider Jake Fischer’s podcast “Please Don’t Aggregate This” he and Seth Partnow tossed out one idea, a trade with the Hawks to add a more offensively-minded guard who could slot into the 3 spot. What would that pitched trade look like?