Cavaliers rumored to be discussing three-team trade for sniper

Looking at the 3-team trade with the Cavaliers, Jazz and Hawks

The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for an upgrade on the wing, and their best ammunition is Caris LeVert. Bereft of first-round picks after the Donovan Mitchell trade, the Cavs have to hope that the team with their wing target values LeVert. If not, a third team has to be brought in who does want LeVert. In this case, the Cavs find two teams who want to work out a deal anyway and the result is a three-team combination.

If this trade were to be put together in reality it’s likely every team involved would ask for draft compensation to come back to them. The reason the Utah Jazz haven’t traded for John Collins yet is that they reportedly want a draft pick from the Hawks to take on his salary, while the Hawks want more back for a longtime starter. The Cavs value LeVert highly but here they get back Malik Beasley to bolster their rotation and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to balance the money.

Ultimately, the Jazz might do this to form a truly formidable frontcourt rotation. Walker Kessler is the rim protector, Lauri Markkanen the All-Star and Jarred Vanderbilt the do-it-all forward. Collins would step in as the interior offensive powerhouse. If they want to stay competitive this could be a chance at buying low on a very talented big man.

For the Hawks, they seem to want Collins out of town by the Trade Deadline. Given the lack of suitors for Collins, it could be a victory for the Hawks to move him without attaching an asset, and Caris LeVert can help them this season and then come off the books this summer. That flexibility is worth something to the Hawks, too.