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Ranking the Cavaliers’ top 13 trade assets for 2023-24

By Josh Cornelissen

Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers. Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers. Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Isaac Okoro, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images /

Cavaliers’ trade asset No. 6: Dean Wade

This tier of players represents those who could realistically be traded this offseason, and as such as the best assets the team has in play; the final tier of stars are almost certainly going to be in a Cavaliers uniform next season. Are these players enough to find an upgrade?

Dean Wade has proven himself to be an excellent find for Koby Altman and the front office, an undrafted free agent who has been an excellent defensive wing and proven reliable enough as a shooter to keep defenses honest. He struggled with injuries this season that clearly affected his shot, but he should still have suitors on the trade market.

Cavaliers’ trade asset No. 5: Isaac Okoro

The time to trade Isaac Okoro was likely at the NBA Trade Deadline this past February when he was in the midst of a hot shooting streak and his on-ball defense looked like a true weapon. Then the playoffs came around, and the New York Knicks ignored him entirely, with Okoro unable to make them pay by hitting wide-open shots. Even so, Okoro is young, yet to sign a rookie extension and is genuinely a great defender and teammate; if he is dangled in trades he will have value.

Cavaliers’ trade asset No. 4: Jarrett Allen

There is no question that Jarrett Allen has been one of the best centers in the league over the past two seasons, and he has been a critical part of Cleveland’s improvement to the top of the standings. He was the anchor of the league’s best defense this past year, and there have been no indications that the Cavaliers want to move on from him.

At some point, however, the Cavs have to ask themselves the question of whether they can win at the highest levels by starting and investing in two bigs. Moving Allen could enable them to land a difference-making wing that unlocks more lineup flexibility for the team. The problem is that Allen is a center, and centers aren’t as in demand as other positions. Trading Allen for a wing likely means getting back a worse player, and that’s a tough pill to swallow for such an important player. It’s a hard decision the Cavs will be working through over the coming months and years.