It’s less than a month until the trade deadline, which is generally when Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman is at his best.
If there’s anyone who is fearless when it comes to making trades, it’s Altman. We saw that over the summer when Altman sneaked in and landed Donovan Mitchell from the Jazz for the likes of Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji and multiple picks.
Really, that was the Cavs’ big trade for the season, and it’s hard to imagine them doing much else. After all, there’s a lot to be said for consistency on the roster.
Still, the Cavs now need help on the wing, particularly consistent perimeter shooting. The return of Dean Wade may help in that area, but even so, it’s not likely viewed as enough.
So we’ve heard the names that have been linked to the Cavs — such as the Mavericks’ Tim Hardaway Jr., the Jazz’s Malik Beasley, the Spurs’ Doug McDermott, and even the Pistons’ Bojan Bogdanovic.
But aside from McDermott, the asking price for those players and others is likely out of the Cavs’ price range. McDermott wouldn’t likely cost more than Dylan Windler and a couple of second-round picks, sources said, but teams other than the Cavs might make better offers. And the Cavs’ interest in McDermott, at this point, may not even be a thing.
As for Bogdanovic, forget it. The Pistons are more inclined to keep him as the veteran scorer on an otherwise young team and try to make a playoff push next season. At least, that’s what they keep telling everyone.
If they do trade him, they’ll be seeking someone similar, and a pick, and that just is not something the Cavs can or would want to offer.
For the Cavs, Caris LeVert and his expiring contract are most mentioned in trade rumors. But it’s important to remember that LeVert is playing 31.0 minutes a game. That makes him an important part of the rotation.
While Cedi Osman‘s contributions are a little more uneven, and he could be considered another player who is drawing interest … again, you have to ask what type of player they could get in return.
Do the Cavs really want to move LeVert or Osman for a piece that may or may not be an upgrade? It seems like, at this point, the Cavs would be trading them just to make a deal. As active as Altman often is, that’s just not his mode of operation.
If he makes a deal, it’s usually a splash. But the Cavs don’t need a splash, they need a little help. That’s not to say they will do nothing.
But unless it’s an obvious boost, they are likely to just stand pat and continue on their pretty good path. Nothing wrong with that.
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I wouldn’t send Cedi anywhere I didn’t think he could flourish.
Timberwolves could use an upgrade in all those things he does. Transition, playing hard every night, giving his heart, you know. And he’d always be welcomed back here, may be a Cav again.
Cedi, Windler, 2nd round pick for Kyle Anderson.
Cedi could grow with that young team and come into his own as a veteran leader, a glue guy for that squad moving forward, and of course, fan favorite.
Okoro will cover for much of what Cedi does basketball wise (not all), just in a different looking way, and with more elite defense.
They can kick the tires on Windler and the pick. 1 definite and 2 potential players in exchange for a strong role player that fills a need for the Cavs.
Will Wolves try to do much better? And how likely they just keep Anderson? He’s more a piece of their identity than a lot of other guys there.
The Cavaliers really need to focus in on acquiring another big who can PLAY against most teams (unlike Lopez). If not, they didn’t learn anything from last year when Allen went down and we collapsed down the stretch. Unfortunately, it looks like K Love has fallen off the table as far as his skills and ability to play defense. Add to the fact that he is not making his shot and he’s become pretty worthless to back up Mobley and Allen. A younger Javal McGee and Jeff Green would be just what the doctor ordered. (-: