Dribbles: Cavs didn’t blink at trade deadline, and they’re better for it

Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ many moves ahead of Thursday’s deadline. …

1. The Cavs had already flipped a switch. Now, on paper, they’re even better.

2. After sort of stumbling around to a 22-19 start, they’ve gone 9-2 since. And they sure didn’t waste any momentum when the trade deadline arrived. They leaned into it. Hard.

3. Of the 11 Cavs who logged at least 500 minutes this season, the three weakest net ratings belonged to Darius Garland, De’Andre Hunter, and Lonzo Ball. All three are now gone.

4. In their place: James Harden, Keon Ellis, and Dennis Schroder.

5. Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman admitted that letting Garland go was not easy. Altman flew out to Los Angeles to break the trade news to the two-time All-Star (the Cavs were playing the Clippers). He admitted they both got teary-eyed.

6. Altman said Garland “was instrumental to this organization. We’re not here today without him. … Incredible run with him. Seven years. He made this place a cool place to play. He really put us back on the map as an organization.”

7. Yes, swapping a 26-year-old Garland for a 36-year-old Harden carries future risk. But in the here and now, Harden is healthier, more available, and better equipped to take pressure off Donovan Mitchell, who has been carrying his highest usage rate since his Utah days.

8. Altman on Harden: “We think that he raises our ceiling and gives a chance at real playoff success. He’s still playing at an elite level. He gives us a different look in the backcourt.”

9. Harden is 6-foot-5 and remains a fantastic scorer and passer. As Altman said, he will be great for Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley and the Cavs’ other bigs. If you think Garland threw impactful lob passes, just wait.

10. He’s also an underrated post defender. That counts for a lot when opposing teams try to switch him onto wings (as they did with Garland). Harden has the size and strength to hold his ground.

11. As for the contract … I keep telling fans that’s tomorrow’s concern. At least some of what happens with that will depend on how things play out from here. 

12. Harden waived his trade kicker to come to Cleveland. “He sought us out as a basketball destination,” Altman noted.

13. The Cavs can start negotiating with Harden once the NBA Finals end. And that’s when they’ll worry about it. “All I know is the Cavs are excited to have him,” Altman said. “This fit, right now, this year, for the Cavs, makes a lot of sense.”

14. And then there’s the kicker: By moving Hunter and Ball, the Cavs shaved roughly $100 million off their luxury-tax bill. “It’s very rare to improve your team and save $100 million,” Altman added.

15. After the Harden blockbuster, it’s easy to forget that the Cavs also added Schroder and Ellis. We saw their contributions already, in that easy win over the poor Clippers.

16. Ellis gives the Cavs their best perimeter defender, while Schroder brings volatility. Sometimes that’s a bad thing. Sometimes it’s exactly what you need.

17. Yes, Mitchell is all about the Cavs’ moves. Altman praised his “buy-in,” which is constant. Mitchell was that way before the trade and that way after, forever and ever amen.

18. Bottom line? Contenders don’t usually get better and cheaper at the deadline. The Cavs just did.