2 trade targets, 1 free agent alternative to P.J. Washington for Cavaliers

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Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks. Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images /

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is a great trade option for Cleveland

While numerous teams struggle to fill their roster, the Oklahoma City Thunder are forced to waive players. After waiving TyTy Washington, Jr., the Thunder still have 19 players on their cap sheet, per Spotrac. Two of those players, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, are currently free agents, meaning OKC only needs to lose two more players in order to meet the maximum 15 full roster spots allowed.

This gives the Cavaliers an opportunity to trade for one of Oklahoma’s seemingly infinite young players without surrendering any of their own rotational players.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl finished his second season in the NBA and has shown steady improvement on OKC. In his sophomore year, his minutes dropped from 22.2 per game down to 18.9 per game due to the stacked rotation in Oklahoma City.

Additionally, Robinson-Earl’s injury history has stopped him from being available for the Thunder for more than 49 games in his rookie season and 43 last year. This has undoubtedly led to his diminished role. This might alarm the Cavaliers from trading for him, but a trade package for Robinson-Earl could be surprisingly cheap.

As mentioned, the Thunder are forced to lower the number of players on full contracts. OKC will have to waive more people, losing them for nothing. Cleveland could offer a couple of second-round picks in exchange for Robinson-Earl’s $1.9 million contract to guarantee Oklahoma receives some sort of return for a young prospect.

Given his injury history, it is unlikely “JRE” could command much more than draft compensation.

Over two seasons, Robinson-Earl has shot 34.4 percent from 3-point range and collected just under five rebounds per contest. While his health will remain a question, acquiring the former Villanova forward would build Cleveland’s frontcourt without major sacrifice.

Should JRE’s durability prove too unstable, Cleveland still has Dean Wade, Niang, and Mobley at the power forward position. If he can stay healthy and productive, then he only serves to add another of lethality to the Cavaliers lineup.

In free agency, there is one player that could join the Cavs on a cheap deal and provide another veteran presence in the Land.