Wild 14-player Cavaliers trade proposal moves on from Darius Garland and many others

Charlie Baduini

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Wild 14-player Cavaliers trade proposal moves on from Darius Garland and many others image

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From the Cleveland Cavaliers' perspective, this season hasn’t been ideal 

Cleveland has been decent, but not good enough to say they’re a true championship contender at 18-16. 

There seems to be some frustration and questions from the fan base. This core feels similar to the Donovan Mitchell-led Utah Jazz team. They’re good enough to win regular-season games but not a championship. 

There are other concerns.

Can Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen work together long term? Can Mitchell and Darius Garland defend at a high enough level when it matters?

That’s the reason Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report proposed a recent blockbuster trade.

“If the pairing of Evan Mobley (who is arguably better suited at center) and Allen, plus the duo of Donovan Mitchell and Garland (both relatively small guards), does not fit, then why spend top dollar for a disappointing product?

Here, the Cavaliers pivot by parting with Allen, Garland, and Bryant, taking back two first-round picks, while getting under the second apron this season and next. Mobley slides into his natural position, and the team gets the chance to see if Kuminga will be a better fit in Cleveland than he is in Golden State. Portis helps restock the frontcourt; if the Cavs don't improve immediately, they certainly won't be much worse than they've been—a team that has been barely above.500.”

That quote pretty much sums up Cleveland’s situation.

Bucks get: Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, Thomas Bryant, Terance Mann, $2.3 million trade exception (Cole Anthony), $2.3 million trade exception (Amir Coffey) 

Cavaliers get: Jonathan Kuminga, Bobby Portis, 2027 protected first-rounder (from Warriors), 2031 protected first-rounder (from Bucks), $14.5 million trade exception (Darius Garland), $6.6 million trade exception (Jarrett Allen), $2.3 million trade exception (Thomas Bryant) 

Warriors get: Myles Turner, Day'Ron Sharpe, $2.2 million trade exception

Pacers get: Trayce Jackson-Davis 

Nets get: Kyle Kuzma, Cole Anthony, Amir Coffey, Al Horford, Buddy Hield, 2027 Utah Jazz second-rounder (from Pacers), 2028 second-rounder (from Cavaliers), 2030 conditional second-rounder (from Warriors), $5 million (from Warriors), $3 million (from Cavaliers), $6.3 million trade exception (Day'Ron Sharpe)

This is obviously an insane trade featuring five teams featuring 14 players, but the focus is on what the Cavaliers would get.

“If the pairing of Evan Mobley (who is arguably better suited at center) and Allen, plus the duo of Donovan Mitchell and Garland (both relatively small guards), does not fit, then why spend top dollar for a disappointing product?.. In the meantime, the second-apron penalties no longer apply, and the franchise replenishes its depleted draft capital,” he wrote.

It’s tough to say a blockbuster deal like this makes a ton of sense in season, but if Cleveland doesn’t love how it looks, it could make sense.

However, it might be better to give this core its second chance to show if it can win it all when it matters.

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