Ranking 5 potential Cleveland Cavaliers offseason wing trade targets

Welcome to rumor season, otherwise known as the NBA offseason. For the Cleveland Cavaliers, it began a bit early after their untimely exit in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. While the series was devastating, it brought to light a number of necessary changes to the roster. The most clear is the need for a true starting wing.

In turn, there has been no shortage of potential trades involving the Cavs circulating the Internet. Though the Cavaliers have beenrumored to be targeting certain free agent bigs this offseason, there has been a bit less word on wing free agents that Cleveland will legitimately pursue. The majority of rumors have been involving trades with other developing rosters.

Thus, this is a ranking of five potential wings available for the Cavs via trade.

No. 5: Malik Beasley, Los Angeles Lakers

After losing his spot in the Lakers’ rotation in favor of Lonnie Walker IV and Austin Reaves, the Los Angeles trade deadline acquisition might not even be available for trade once the market opens. The Lakers currently have a $16 million team option to retain Malik Beasley. If they choose to use it, then the Cavs can trade for him; however, if they deny it, Beasley would only be a possible free agent signing.

Beasley is a steady shooter with a career 37.8% three-point percentage through seven seasons in the NBA. Bringing Beasley to Cleveland adds an additional scoring threat from deep, but at only 6-foot-4, he would not answer the Cavs’ issues in terms of size. While Isaac Okoro has been a valuable defender, his stature makes him a liability in certain matchups next to an already short backcourt.

Additionally, trading for a player making $16 million this next season leads to a serious issue in negotiations. Realistically, the Cavaliers would need to match his salary by sending multiple players in return to Los Angeles. This could include not only Isaac Okoro but also Dean Wade and/or Ricky Rubio. With below average defense last year, Beasley is simply not worth it when there are better targets for Cleveland.

No. 4: Doug McDermott, San Antonio Spurs

With Victor Wembanyama as the clear choice for the first overall pick in this year’s NBA draft, the San Antonio Spurs will be looking to put a competent but young roster around the potential future-defining talent. In turn, they might be willing to part ways with veteran long range threat Doug McDermott.

In his age-31 season, McDermott attempted nearly five three-pointers per game and sank 41.3% of them. McDermott missed 21 games last season, but in his appearances, managed to score 10.2 points per game in 20.5 minutes of action.

As the Cavaliers search for their answer on the wing, McDermott initially looks like a beneficial talent in the Land. Why should the Cavs not do it? His contract is worth $13.75 million next season, and he will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. That can be both a positive and negative factor, as he will likely not command the same amount of money in the offseason. That, then, should not stop the Cavs. What should?

His defense should. On a team who needs veteran leadership such as the Spurs, McDermott had a career-worst plus-minus of -3.7 alongside another career-worst defensive rating of 124. Statistics do not paint the whole picture, especially not those of just one season. The problem, though, is that McDermott is showing concerning signs of regression in his overall value.

The two prior seasons, McDermott had a 118 defensive rating and -0.7 plus-minus. He has not been a positive contributor for more than three years now, and that is something the Cavaliers cannot risk paying nearly $14 million for if they plan to contend any time soon.

No. 3: Reggie Bullock, Dallas Mavericks

A veteran sharp shooter, Reggie Bullock signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks in summer 2021. The talk surrounding Bullock coming to Cleveland only recently built any real traction, as the Cavaliers have pieces that the Mavericks would covet and potentially vice versa. Bleacher Report considered Bullock as a “dream” trade target for the Cavs this offseason, a realistic, but uninspiring option.

Bullock will be 33 years old at the end of his contract. As an aging role player, the potential value Bullock would bring to the Cavs is unclear. He averaged 7.2 points this past season on decent efficiency, shooting 40.9% from the field and 38% from behind the arc with five three-point attempts per game. In the 78 games Bullock appeared, he started in 55 of those.

Clearly, Reggie Bullock held a steady role in Dallas’ rotation this past season, even though the team missed the layoffs in favor of retaining a top 10 draft pick.

The issue in bringing Bullock to the Cavaliers is two fold. First of all, he has an expiring contract for a player past their prime. Unless Bullock could definitively improve the Cavs to the point of championship contention immediately, he might be a short rental with no return.

A potential trade for the Cavs getting Bullock also includes defensive juggernaut Jarrett Allen.

The problem is that the Cavaliers are simply better than anything the Mavericks can realistically offer. While Jarrett Allen struggled in the playoffs, his trade value is higher than Maxi Kleber and Bullock. The Cavaliers would make this move in a desperate overreaction. A floor spacing big would be suitable, and Bullock’s 3-and-D archetype is beneficial. Neither one raises the Cavaliers past their current status, though.

No. 2: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets

Luka Doncic’s former running mate Dorian Finney-Smith could be a great solution for the Cavaliers at the starting three spot. Deciding between Royce O’Neale and Finney-Smith as the best target was no easy decision, considering both of their suitability for Cleveland. In the end, DFS has a size advantage but does not have the long range capabilities that O’Neale brings to the roster.

Choosing between the two wings might not be necessary, though, as a Fanspo NBA Trade Machine concept has Cleveland landing both talents in a user-generated trade proposal.

As for the value Finney-Smith brings Cleveland, it goes beyond his shooting splits or defensive rating. In fact, Royce O’Neale edges past Finney-Smith in shooting, as DFS only made 33.7% of his long range attempts last season. DFS’ defensive rating has been below league average for most of his career but has never been horrendous.

What sets Finney-Smith apart is the constant praise he received from megastar Luka Doncic. When given the chance, DFS can light it up from three as well as offer staggering defense. He has been missed by the Mavericks faithful ever since his departure, and he would likely make for a terrific addition in Cleveland’s starting five.

After being traded from the Mavericks to the Nets as the key factor in the Kyrie Irving trade, Finney-Smith might not be an easy get for the Cavaliers. He is clearly a coveted asset, but he is also older than the expected Nets timeline.

With such high praise for DFS, who took his spot at number one?

No. 1: Royce O’Neale, Brooklyn Nets

A former Utah Jazz teammate of Donovan Mitchell, Royce O’Neale is probably the most likely trade candidate for the Cavaliers this season. If he joins the squad, there is little fault to find in the addition. O’Neale is a hair shorter at 6-foot-6, but, his defensive ability and consistency over the years places him number one.

Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor already reported that the Cavs nearly got O’Neale at the trade deadline. It seemed that both teams were interested in the deal, though the public does not know what it was. In the end, the Nets chose to retain O’Neale for the season with their playoff hopes still alive.

This offseason might be the perfect time to reignite those discussions, as the teams are perfect trade partners on paper. Brooklyn needs youth and future assets. Cleveland needs proven talent that can put the ball in the hoop from behind the three-point line. Let’s hope the Nets pick up the phone again once trade season begins.

Shooting 38.9% from three on five-and-a-half attempts per game, O’Neale’s offensive skill set opens up variety in Cleveland’s offense that severely lacked in the playoffs. While O’Neale has a height disadvantage in certain matchups, he has had above league average defense nearly every season in his career. Additionally, O’Neale has little injury history. Since the 2019-2020 season, O’Neale has played in at least 71 games each year; sometimes availability is the best ability.

O’Neale will be 30 years old at the start of the 2023-2024 season and making under $10 million in that year. As a free agent the following offseason (are any of these trade options not expiring?), the Cavaliers would have Bird Rights in order to improve their chances at retaining O’Neale.

Additionally, his connection to Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell as former teammates in Utah makes his cultural fit in the locker room a swift integration. Assuming Ricky Rubio is not included in the trade for O’Neale, then he would be entering a team with another former running partner.

Culturally and statistically, O’Neale just makes sense in the wine and gold. In a way, O’Neale can serve the role that a younger Danny Green could have offered. He has proven himself every year and would be a tremendous starter alongside the developing young core as an offensive threat and locker room leader.

In summary, Cleveland should be hoping the front office pulls off this trade, including fans and players. If O’Neale needs a ride to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse from the airport, I am happy to be a free Uber driver. I won’t even be the annoying kind who talk a lot. He can control the music choice, too. Bring Royce O’Neale to the Land.