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Ranking 4 Cavaliers trade targets from most realistic to unlikely

By Tony Camino

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the 2023 Play-In Tournament at the Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andrew Lahodynskyj/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the 2023 Play-In Tournament at the Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andrew Lahodynskyj/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Royce O’Neale, Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Royce O’Neale, Brooklyn Nets

The most realistic trade target on this list, Royce O’Neale is a 6’6″ veteran two-way wing who shoots the three well. For his career, he shoots 38.4 percent from three and takes about four a game as a starter. O’Neale is a plus perimeter defender who has experience guarding the other team’s best player, fitting the bill of the “three-and-D” prototype perfectly. In addition, O’Neale and Donovan Mitchell are good friends from their time in Utah together.

With 29 career playoff starts, O’Neale brings some more experience to a team looking to make another push. After last year’s deadline, the Nets found themselves rich in wing depth, and rumors of O’Neale to the Cavs were swirling then.

Come playoff time, O’Neale stayed in the rotation with at least 25 minutes a game but did not make a start in any of the five games, showing the Nets might be willing to part with him. Along with turning 30 in June, the additions of Mikal Bridges, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Cameron Johnson, and the potential Ben Simmons return likely leave O’Neale as the odd man out and could be a casualty as the Nets look to add more playmaking guard depth in exchange for their abundance of wings.