2 low-cost wing trade targets the Cavs should consider

No. 1: Josh Richardson

Based on Fischer’s report, he made it seem as if Josh Richardson could potentially be a target the Cavaliers could seek, seemingly in a low-risk/low-cost move in that sense if it were to come to fruition.

Richardson was dealt to the San Antonio Spurs near this past trade deadline from the Boston Celtics, and while he didn’t pan out too well with Boston last year, he has done quality work for the Spurs off the bench this season and in the closing stretch of 2021-22.

Richardson has had 10.8 points per outing this year thus far, and has connected on 35.7 percent from three. Richardson has been fairly streaky from deep in his career, and that’s probably plenty of the reasoning as to why he’s bounced around so much, as he’s been on four different teams since 2019. For his career, he’s shot 36.5 percent from three, for context, and has shot 36.0 percent from there since 2019-20.

That being said, the 29-year-old Richardson is a player that can light it up as a floor spacer, shoots from deep with little hesitation, has made strides in shooting off movement, and he could provide Cleveland with some supplemental shot creation.

Defensively, he’s not the most sturdy at 200 pounds, and he’s not necessarily the Miami Heat version of himself at this point, but he’d be decent there and can utilize his length to apply pressure and shut off gaps. So, that wouldn’t be a big concern.

Now, for a deal framework, perhaps Cleveland might consider dealing Cedi Osman and Dylan Windler for Richardson? I’d probably the Cavaliers rather hold onto Osman, given the energy he can provide and the shooting can give the team, along with his familiarity with the Cavaliers.

But, Richardson can offer more in the shot creation department, has at least some postseason experience, and could feasibly be a player Cleveland maybe looks to bring back in the coming offseason. KJG’s Quinn Minnich could foresee Richardson as a potential Mid-level Exception free agency target, along those lines.

Again, Osman is a glue guy and I’d probably rather the Cavaliers just retain him, however, Richardson could be a player that can give the team more legitimacy as far as rotational wing production the rest of the season and/or come playoff time.

For San Antonio, Windler could be expiring and Osman’s next season is non-guaranteed, so maybe the Spurs could take a flyer on one and/or both. Osman with the Spurs could still have some untapped shot-making/playmaking capabilities in a non-contending situation.