Cavaliers 2023 offseason primer: Targets, outgoing free agents, trades, draft needs & more

Cavaliers 2023 offseason primer: The Trade Market

Unless a difference-making player signs a bargain contract in free agency, the most likely path to getting a starting small forward is on the trade market. That’s easier said than done, however, since the Cavaliers don’t have a single first-round pick free to trade.

Using a combination of players currently on the roster, second-round picks and perhaps a pair of first-round pick swaps, the Cavs will need to try and marshall all of their trade assets to add a player who can defend and shoot well enough to compete for the starting small forward spot.

The most likely path for the Cavaliers is to keep their core four players together and make a deal on the margins. Some players they could pursue include Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale on the Brooklyn Nets; Reggie Bullock and Tim Hardaway Jr. on the Dallas Mavericks; Bojan Bogdanovic from the Detroit Pistons.

The most drastic options for the Cavs include trading one of their core players. Jarrett Allen is the most likely culprit, as it may be easier to find a center in free agency and to trade Allen for their starting small forward. This trade and signing pursues that option that could make Cleveland a true title contender.