The Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets, and Dallas Mavericks all had a disappointing end to the 2023 season and did not make it as far as they had hoped, which could inspire an offseason trade.
The Cavs saw another great improvement in the regular season, but their first-round series against the New York Knicks exposed some weaknesses that will need to be addressed. The Nets underwent a major shakeup, trading Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving at the deadline. Mikal Bridges showed great promise, and the Nets might consider going younger and building around him. The Mavericks, following a successful run to the 2022 Western Conference Finals with the young prodigy Luka Doncic, added Kyrie Irving mid-season but surprisingly missed the playoffs altogether.
Time for a trade?
Going into the 2023-24 season, all teams might be seeking changes to strengthen their roster for the upcoming season and the future. The Cavaliers have been linked to Royce O’Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith since the deadline, as they could greatly enhance the team’s wing shooting and perimeter defense, areas in which they have been lacking. The Mavericks had a weak defense throughout the year, especially after the Irving trade. Acquiring Jarrett Allen to fortify their paint protection could potentially transform the Mavericks’ defense and put them back in contention for a championship.
A tweet from Fanspo’s Twitter page, specifically from @JakeandHoops, shed light on these rumors and proposed a hypothetical three-team trade.
Here’s the proposed trade:
The Cavs acquire two wing players who excel defensively and provide floor spacing, the Mavs take a significant step towards bolstering their interior defense, and the Nets make a move to secure a more enticing asset for the future. While all the teams acquire pieces that can greatly assist them, the cost of acquisition may be considered too high.
Who says no?
First, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of this deal from the Mavericks’ point of view.
Does Dallas say yes?
The move to acquire Kyrie Irving demonstrated the Mavericks’ commitment to winning in the present and keeping their superstar Luka Doncic satisfied. Given their aggressive, all-in approach with that acquisition, it seems logical to consider trading a top-10 pick. Assuming the Mavericks re-sign Irving as anticipated, lottery picks are unlikely to contribute significantly in maximizing their championship window with Irving and Doncic.
The Mavericks’ defense already struggled throughout the previous season, and parting ways with their most impactful wing defender did not improve the situation. The playoffs revealed the importance of having a strong defensive presence in the interior, a role that Jarrett Allen has excelled in since entering the league, despite his performance against the Knicks.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Allen has showcased his value in the pick-and-roll game. Having a reliable roll man like him can alleviate pressure on Doncic and Irving as primary ball handlers, thereby adding another dimension to an already formidable offense. While Cedi Osman’s shooting tends to fluctuate, the Mavericks could look to rely on Reggie Bullock and Josh Green to fill the void left by Tim Hardaway Jr., enabling Osman to continue providing a spark off the bench.
Losing a top-10 pick can be challenging, but considering the Mavericks’ win-now mentality (assuming they re-sign Irving), Jarrett Allen significantly improves their chances of contending for a championship next season compared to the potential contribution of a rookie selected at the 10th spot. Therefore, if such a trade is proposed, the Mavericks should seriously consider accepting it.
Does Brooklyn say yes?
The Brooklyn Nets currently have an excessive number of wing players due to the deadline deals. Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Royce O’Neale, Joe Harris, and potentially Ben Simmons create an overcrowding of players who can fill the two through four positions in the lineup. Bridges had a breakout performance with the Nets, and Johnson is one of the youngest among the group, making them likely core pieces. Finney-Smith and O’Neale are valuable role players, but as they age, their highest value lies in helping teams aiming to contend for a championship immediately.
Competition in the NBA is fierce, and the Nets face challenges in finding a clear path to title contention this coming season.
Swapping Finney-Smith and O’Neale for Hardaway would provide the Nets with greater clarity in terms of their wing depth, and it would also enable them to move up into the top 10 to select a promising long-term asset. While there were rumors of O’Neale and Finney-Smith fetching first-round picks in potential trades, those picks would likely fall in the late 20s. The Nets’ bench would take a slight hit, but in return, they would gain salary cap relief and the opportunity to secure a significant piece for the future in the top 10.
If this trade is proposed, the Nets should accept it and focus on retooling their roster for the next two to three years.
Should the Cavs do it?
Trading the best player in the deal, it all comes down to if the Cavaliers should do this trade. Acquiring quality wing players during the offseason is clearly Cleveland’s top priority, and Finney-Smith and O’Neale have been previously linked to the team. JaVale McGee, a solid backup big man, fulfills another need on the Cavs’ offseason checklist but is unlikely to be a starter in the 2023-24 season.
At first glance, the Cavs appear to be on the losing end of this trade. While Allen had a disappointing series against the Knicks, his success during the regular season has played a major role in the Cavs’ rise to the upper half of the Eastern Conference. Defensively, Allen is an ideal complement to Evan Mobley and ranks among the league’s best in rim protection. However, in today’s NBA, starting two big men who lack shooting ability can hinder offensive spacing.
For the Cavaliers to feel comfortable with this trade, one of two things needs to happen. First, Evan Mobley would need to add some weight and become an elite defender against bigger centers. The starting lineup consisting of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Royce O’Neale, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Evan Mobley would only have a flaw if Mobley struggles against dominant interior players.
The other option for the Cavs to consider this trade would be if they plan to package the incoming first-round pick and Isaac Okoro for a floor-spacing rim protector. Both Finney-Smith and O’Neale are 30 years old, signaling the Cavs’ focus on immediate win-now mode, and the 21st overall pick is unlikely to make a significant contribution in the upcoming season.
Overall, Dallas and Brooklyn would benefit greatly from this trade and should explore it. For Cleveland, there could be more value in a Jarrett Allen trade elsewhere. In the event they do make a move like this one, other parts would have to fall into place for the best outcome.
Trade Grade: C