Ranking the Cleveland Cavaliers’ top 3 trade targets

Trade target No. 1: Caleb Martin, Miami Heat

The Cleveland Cavaliers once stepped into a trade for a star guard and took the player no team wanted, landing All-Star center Jarrett Allen. They are certainly staying abreast of trade discussions this summer in case they can do so again, and the prime deal to watch is a potential trade of Damian Lillard to the Miami Heat.

The size of the Cavs’ backcourt makes taking on Tyler Herro a poor idea, especially since the Heat likely need a first-round pick for him and the Cavaliers don’t have one to offer. Another player who could be caught in the lurch, however, is forward Caleb Martin.

Martin started for much of the Heat’s run to the NBA Finals last season and had a couple of positively standout games. He’s clearly not afraid of the moment and has a skillset that fits well around offensive and defensive stars. He is active on defense, a good rebounder and an inconsistent but largely positive shooter. He is also just 6’5″ but has a 6’10” wingspan and has defended forwards for his entire career.

If the Trail Blazers aren’t interested in Martin due to his multi-year contract and his age (he turns 28 before training camp start) the Heat could include his salary to make the deal work, dropping him with the Cavaliers, who could send on a player like Isaac Okoro or Ricky Rubio to Portland alongside a second-round pick or two.

Martin isn’t a slam-dunk option, but he’s a solid option to start at small forward or provide depth alongside Dean Wade and Georges Niang on the forward line. If he becomes available during trade discussions Cleveland should jump into the fray and bring him aboard.