Examining 3 potential trade targets for the Cavs to pursue

Potential target No. 3: Isaiah Hartenstein

I will also admit, I am a fan of Isaiah Hartenstein. He does everything you want in a backup center. He can rebound, block shots, and finish around the rim. He’s not the flashiest name in the world, but that’s okay. He plays for the New York Knicks, who have an abundance of big men, in my opinion. Sure, they just signed him this offseason, but I do think the Cavaliers would like having him on the team.

Also, Hartenstein did play for the Cavs only two seasons ago. He was traded here from the Denver Nuggets, along with two second-round picks, for JaVale McGee. Per-36 minutes, Hartenstein grabs 11.9 rebounds, and also 5.2 offensive rebounds. He isn’t the best shooter in the world, though.

Shooting 75.7% from the free throw line as a center is really good, but he isn’t much of a threat from outside the 3-point arc. This season, for the Knicks, he is shooting 24.2% from deep on 0.8 attempts per night, so he isn’t much of a reliable shooter.

To me, I would want Hartenstein because of the lack of a backup center (sorry, Robin Lopez). There isn’t a really good backup center on the roster that should play in the playoffs. I’m not sure what the Cavs could give up for Hartenstein, but it would probably have to include Cedi Osman. As much as I am a fan of Cedi, he’d probably be the one to be sent off to New York to make this deal happen.

Would I make this deal? As much as I’m a big Cedi fan, I would pull the trigger. Assuming a second-round pick or two is also sent to New York, the deal should be acceptable for both sides. Cedi is a fan favorite, so it would be hard to see him go, but if it means going far in the playoffs, I think it would be worth it.

All in all, this trade deadline is very important for the Cavs, if they want to make it far in the playoffs. Will they make a move? It’s hard to say, but I think that Koby Altman knows what he is doing.