Grade the Trade: Cavaliers can leap into Kyrie Irving blockbuster
What the trade would mean for the Cavaliers
This trade checks nearly every box for the Cavaliers as they look to upgrade at the NBA Trade Deadline. Dorian Finney-Smith is an excellent fit in the starting lineup, with the versatility to guard up or down, and a solid shooting stroke. He’s a 3/4 3-and-D wing, exactly what the Cavs need.
Patty Mills is used here as a matching salary, but he is useful in his own right. The Cavs have a pair of streaky shooters in Cedi Osman and Kevin Love but no true movement shooter on the roster. Mills is going to be a problem defensively in the playoffs, but in certain situations, his shooting could be vital.
The Cavs aren’t excited to give up LeVert here, but it is the best way to add a difference-maker on the wing with all of their first-round picks spoken for. Here the Cavs take advantage of the Kyrie situation to add a player they otherwise wouldn’t have available to them. It would be a brilliant move and help to propel the Cavaliers toward perennial contention.
Next. International Trade: Cavaliers add wing in proposed trade with Raptors. dark
Will the Nets trade Kyrie Irving? Will another team commit real resources in a trade? Is Kyrie likely to start flapping his arms and float into the air? We have no idea, but if the opportunity presents itself this team knows how to get into a deal and get out with a great player or two.
Grade: A