4 trade targets the Cleveland Cavaliers should pursue on Wizards

No. 4: Corey Kispert

Finally, we return to the wing position once more. Whenever a team is up for trade discussions, the first options thrown into trade machines for Cavs fans is any small forward who can shoot from range. At 42.4% from three last season, Corey Kispert is no exception. Before the change in administration for the Wizards, Kispert has not been in many trade rumors for one simple reason. If a team wants to contend, Kispert is the ideal archetype, and the former Wizards front office had no intention to tank.

Bringing Kispert to Cleveland would be nothing less than magic (pun intended) for the Cavs’ offensive versatility. It appears that Kispert’s hot spots are anywhere within bounds and outside of the three-point line. Overall, Kispert landed in the 93rd percentile from all three-point zones, per Cleaning the Glass (subscription required), 86th from the corner, and 85th from non-corner threes.

Defensively, Kispert is nothing jaw dropping. His 120 defensive rating from last year does not inspire much, but the 2021 first-round pick has been able to hold his own in The Association. He has only played in the league for two full seasons, and in a defense-first system such as Cleveland, he could very likely improve on that end of the court. Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been more than capable of drawing the best out of each player on defense.

While the Cavaliers were the first overall defensive team in the 2022-2023 regular season, the Wizards were near the bottom at 21st place. A change in environment can drastically alter a player’s potential. At times, there is untapped capabilities that can be discovered by the right coaching staff.

In the case of Corey Kispert, his shooting and overall offensive talent makes him worth the trade. Cleveland has time to train Kispert into a stalwart perimeter defender. He has the size and speed to do it, and Bickerstaff can give him the chance to become that.