The Cleveland Cavaliers don’t have a lot of ammo for the trade market. Their 2023 first-round pick was traded to the Indiana Pacers for Caris LeVert at last year’s NBA Trade Deadline, and the rest of their tradeable first-rounders went to the Utah Jazz in the Donovan Mitchell trade.
To seek an upgrade for the roster, the Cavs have to stack together what they do have available to bring in someone who can actually make a difference. Players such as Doug McDermott and Terrence Ross might be available for a single second-round pick, but neither moves the needle for a team that needs a player that can survive in the playoffs defensively.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have to combine their assets to make a trade.
ESPN’s NBA Front-office Insider Bobby Marks wrote about each NBA team’s situation heading to the Trade Deadline, and he concluded what everyone has concluded: they need another small forward to bolster the rotation. He pitches a trade that targets a player who may be expendable to a team in the Western Conference.
Josh Hart has bounced around the Western Conference thus far in his career, playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, the New Orleans Pelicans and now the Portland Trail Blazers. As they prioritize size around their small backcourt, Hart could be made available for the right price.
Does Marks’ suggested trade work for both sides? Let’s dig a little deeper and find out.