5 Jarrett Allen trades that get Cavaliers closer to title contention

4. Cavaliers build depth and draft capital in deal with Lakers

Some fans may scoff at this trade, but the deal provides more value than meets the eye. Vanderbilt and Beasley are two solid rotation players, and the Cavs get two first-round picks in this deal. Cleveland could flip the picks or players to get additional assets, and no other team is going to be desperate enough to trade two firsts for Allen.

LeBron James put pressure on the Lakers the moment their season ended by announcing that he may retire. Nobody believes the 38-year-old will do it, but it forces LA to put the best possible roster around him. The Lakers have preferred to play Anthony Davis at the four with a traditional center next to him. Could they target a 25-year-old big man to be his partner?

Vanderbilt fell out of the Lakers postseason rotation as they were swept by the Nuggets in the conference finals and Beasley was a complete non-factor after the first round, but it is not just the players. The Cavaliers could acquire a starting-caliber wing by trading off the two Lakers picks.

Suddenly, Cleveland is a tough out if they add a strong perimeter defender with the two former Lakers playing bench roles. This is far from a slam dunk from the Cavaliers’ perspective, but it is worth exploring if they cannot land something better.