By now, everybody has heard time after time that the Cleveland Cavaliers stayed silent in this year’s trade deadline. After making their first “all-in” trade for Donovan Mitchell, the front office stayed patient and gave the team an opportunity to prove themselves with the current lineup.
Unfortunately, Cleveland was embarrassed by the New York Knicks in the first round and now have no choice but to admit what we all knew – significant trades need to happen. The core of Mitchell, Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen will stay. Caris LeVert has expressed a desire to return and probably will. Other than that, an air of uncertainty looms over the Land.
With limited money available to spend this offseason, the Cavs cannot build only through free agency. Making a win-now move and building wing depth through an offseason trade could vault the Cavaliers to the next echelon of NBA contenders. Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reported that the Cavaliers were “far down the road” on a trade for Brooklyn Nets wing sharpshooter Royce O’Neale before the Nets opted to keep him through the deadline.
The Cavs could reignite those conversations and get the deal done.
The Nets had a busy trade deadline, dealing Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks a week before and then shipping Kevin Durant to Phoenix for a historic haul. Surely, the front office was overwhelmed. Through the end of the regular season and their quick loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in the postseason, the Nets had a chance to see the limits this roster can reach.
They have a lot of young talent in Mikal Bridges and Cameron Thomas, but their wealth of veteran talent could be the catalyst in their rebuild. Sending out proven players to teams ready to win could give the Brooklyn Nets a much brighter future than where they sit currently.
Provided by Fanspo on Twitter, this trade sends two valuable wings to the Nets in exchange for a mix of players and picks. The Cavaliers upgrade from Isaac Okoro, letting the Nets pair Thomas with a defensive-minded guard who will not demand ball dominance and limit Thomas and Bridges in the offense. This trade is far from a blockbuster, but it gives both squads improve their future trajectory while maintaining flexibility for more moves.
What is the deal, then? And would both teams be interested?