Cavaliers Trade Rumors: Massive trade idea with 76ers adds Harris

Would the Cavaliers make this trade?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been linked to all sorts of wings on the trade market, but last season their preferred option to slot into that starting small forward spot was Lauri Markkanen, and when he wasn’t available they often went with Dean Wade; in other words, combo forwards with size who can do some switching with the other bigs. Tobias Harris leans into that desire for size.

The 6’8″ forward can play the 3 or the 4, and his outside shot is dangerous enough to keep defenses honest. He also gives the Cavaliers another late-game outlet to create offense if teams shift help towards Donovan Mitchell and/or Darius Garland. He diversifies and beefs up their offense.

Defensively, Harris is not a pushover, but he’s also not a difference-maker. Where he has thrived is when playing on the perimeter with Joel Embiid behind him, and in Cleveland, he would always have that backline support. It’s very likely Harris would thrive defensively and be his best defensive self on the Cavs, very similar to Markkanen last season.

Is adding Harris worth the hit to the depth of this team? That’s a more difficult question, but even after trading three rotation players, the Cavs can trot out Ricky Rubio, Dean Wade and Kevin Love off the bench. They’ll need to make a small move or scoop up a shooting wing in the buyout market, but Jaden Springer could also get some run in that spot for a tryout.

The big question is that of cost, but if Dan Gilbert is willing to pay up, Harris’s contract for next season is just a one-year burden to bear. If the fit works out, they can re-sign Harris for a market-value deal closer to $20 million per season. This is a big swing, but it’s one that makes a lot of sense and would truly upgrade the starting lineup.