For the time being, the future of the Cleveland Cavaliers will be in the hands of three men – Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, and Evan Mobley. While the Cavaliers have possibly the most heart wrenching history in the trade market of the NBA thanks to former owner Ted Stepien, the modern Cleveland basketball squad has continually improved via trade and in-house development in recent years.
Over the offseason, Cleveland President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman has had one of the best showings across the Association in terms of moves and acquisitions. The Cavaliers struggled heavily in 3-point shooting and depth. Adding Max Strus, Georges Niang, and Ty Jerome pushes Cleveland’s long range threat and depth into the top teams among the league.
Looking forward, though, Altman’s work is not done if the Cavs plan to compete for the Finals with Mitchell at the helm.
Mitchell has been a loyal teammate thus far in his career, but as he enters his prime it will be critical that the Cavaliers prove their willingness to build around him and make Cleveland the best possible situation for him long term.
What are the changes still needed? Trade rumors consistently sprout, especially those including Jarrett Allen and/or Isaac Okoro. The reasons for both players are relatively similar. Okoro and Allen are tremendous defensively, but their offensive talents leave much to be desired at times, especially outside of the paint.
This suggests that Cleveland’s in-season moves will be based around improving their offensive versatility while maintaining their defensive identity. Charlotte’s P.J. Washington recently entered the discussion for the Cavs, but nothing has materialized yet.
Additionally, the path forward for Cleveland involves giving Evan Mobley the best environment to grow into the star he can clearly become.
In order to reach their ceiling, these three Cavaliers are the most likely to join a new roster by the 2023-24 trade deadline.
Trade option No. 1 – Dean Wade
Initially, 6-foot-9 stretch forward Dean Wade is a clear candidate for a potential trade package. Wade continues to improve his value across the NBA since joining the Cavs through the G-League.
Wade has a myriad of talents that have helped the Cavs so far. His most natural position has been the power forward, but Dean Wade has proven his aptitude at both the small forward and small-ball center as well.
Throughout the 2022-23 NBA season, Wade was one of the numerous candidates for the starting small forward job. In his 44 games played last season, Wade started in 13 of them, splitting those games at either the three or the four.
Currently, the Cavaliers wing depth is undersized with Strus and Okoro. Thus, Wade will likely play substantial minutes at the three and four spots again this season. He might give the Cavs the size and shooting needed against bigger opponents.
Cleveland signed Niang as a stretch forward this offseason, though, looking to capitalize on Mitchell’s former Jazz teammate’s 40 percent career 3-point accuracy. It is possible that the wing and forward minutes are entirely soaked up by the trio of Strus, Okoro, and Niang with Caris LeVert occasionally serving as a forward as well.
Dean Wade is a valuable role player on any roster, though. Leaving him on the end of the bench night after night would be a waste of Wade’s versatile and adaptive nature. Depending on the Cavs’ situation come the turn of the calendar year, the best-case scenario for both parties might be to include Wade in a larger trade package to improve Cleveland’s short term playoff chances and Wade’s long term growth.
Additionally, Wade’s $5.7 million salary next season makes him an attractive, team-friendly contract in trade negotiations.
Time will tell how Wade fits on this Cleveland roster, but he will no doubt continue to earn his spot in the Association somewhere across the 30 teams.
Trade option No. 2 – Isaac Okoro
When the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Isaac Okoro fifth overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, they were still in the midst of a rebuild after LeBron James ended his second stint with the team.
Originally, this meant that Okoro had the chance to develop his game and discover his fit in the league. He was taken as a clear project player, but the Cavaliers seemed to have the time to take on his development.
Unfortunately for Okoro, Garland’s explosive third season and Mobley’s definitive rookie year has left Okoro’s role in limbo. The Cavaliers swiftly shifted into win-now mode, and bringing on Donovan Mitchell in 2022 further solidified this.
It is time that the Cavaliers do what is best for Isaac Okoro. He has repeatedly faced a barrage of impatient reactions to his lackluster long range shooting. While the former Auburn wing has shown improvement each season, his fit in Cleveland is gradually deteriorating.
Last season Isaac Okoro shot 36.3 percent from the arc after connecting on only 29 percent of his 3-point attempts in his rookie campaign. The volume of his shooting and overall average scoring has gone down in no small part due to the additions the Cavaliers have made since Okoro’s draft class. His defense and hustle has yet to fall, however. Okoro is a terrific teammate and effort player, something any rebuilding team would be elated to have.
Sending Okoro to a team that has the resources and timetable for him is the best option for both the Cavs and Okoro. His defensive impact will instantly empower any team’s identity. On a young, developing roster such as the Brooklyn Nets or San Antonio Spurs, Okoro’s value would be highly valued and appreciated.
Finally, trading this third Cavalier could be an inevitability, whether for better or worse.
Trade option No. 3 – Caris LeVert
Columbus native swingman Caris LeVert joined the Cavs via trade from the Indiana Pacers. As a former Brooklyn teammate of Jarrett Allen, LeVert quickly found a spot in the Cavaliers culture, but his role on the team has constantly changed.
LeVert has had a uniquely confusing experience in Cleveland.
At the start of the 2022-23 NBA season, LeVert was the starting small forward for the Cavs. By the end of the year, he found himself as the sixth man and lead playmaker on the bench unit. His talent is undeniable, and he helped lead the charge to numerous wins for Cleveland last season.
In the wake of Cleveland’s short playoff appearance, LeVert and the Cavs organization equally expressed serious interest in bringing him back in free agency. This was quickly realized when LeVert signed a two-year, $32 million contract.
Caris LeVert might stay on the team throughout this full contract, but his initial role in Cleveland was meant to compliment Darius Garland in the backcourt. With Mitchell now in the fray, LeVert is still searching for his best fit on the roster.
He showed glimpses of how he can fit long term, and maybe this season that role is more defined with Cleveland’s improved depth chart. Should his inconsistent fit continue, then there may be no choice for the Cavs but to trade LeVert at the trade deadline.
Hopefully LeVert will fit in with the Cavaliers. Admittedly, my personal view is that losing LeVert would be a painful mistake. LeVert has welcomed every role change and fully embraced his spot on the Cavaliers. A player with Caris’ willingness and team-first mentality can be hard to find. Also, LeVert was Cleveland’s third-best 3-point option last season. As a team in need of floor spacing, it could be detrimental to the Cavs’ competitive growth to give up on LeVert already.
For now, all three of these players are members of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and all three are dedicated to the culture in the Land. Should they stay, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff will surely look to maximize their talents.
If they leave Cleveland by the deadline, hopefully it is the best option for both the player and the team.