The Cleveland Cavaliers could be forgiven for star-chasing this summer. Their capitulation in the second round of the NBA Playoffs was a humbling experience.
In recent weeks, Kevin Durant‘s future has dominated NBA headlines. The veteran superstar is expected to be available via trade. The Phoenix Suns are attempting to retool the roster around Devin Booker.
Despite Durant being the type of ceiling-raiser the Cavaliers need, it would appear they’re not in the race to win the bidding war.
“I don’t think they’re involved now,” ESPN Brian Windhorst said of Cleveland and Durant during a recent appearance on ESPN Cleveland.
Durant would be a strong addition to Cleveland’s roster. Pairing him with Donovan Mitchell would give Kenny Atkinson an elite one-two punch. However, Durant’s age doesn’t fit the Cavaliers’ timeline. Koby Altman has developed a roster that’s talented enough to contend, but young enough to continue improving.
It wouldn’t make sense for the Cavaliers to mortgage some of their future on an aging veteran. Durant isn’t going to come cheap. Furthermore, the front office has some big contract extensions on the horizon.
They would need to re-sign Durant before his deal expires, too. From a money standpoint, adding the veteran would create too many headaches. It could also make life difficult in keeping the likes of Evan Mobley with the franchise long-term.
Cavaliers Make Two Players Untouchable
According to Sam Amico of Hoops Wire, the Cavaliers have made two star players untouchable in trade discussions.
“The deeper we get into the Cavaliers’ offseason, the more it appears they are set to make some changes. Perhaps none involving Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, or Darius Garland, mind you. But almost definitely around the edges of the roster,” he wrote. “Let’s start here — Mitchell and Mobley are untouchable and aren’t going anywhere. Meanwhile, the Cavs could be open to moving Garland or Allen. But even that seems pretty unlikely.”
Rumors have swirled regarding the futures of Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen. However, as things stand, it looks unlikely any of the Cavaliers’ core four will be on the move this summer.
Isaac Okoro Could Be a Trade Candidate
Isaac Okoro is expected to be available on the trade market this summer. The three-and-d forward has struggled to earn a consistent role in the Cavaliers’ rotation. However, according to Chris Fedor, via his “Wine & Gold Talk” podcast, the Cavaliers are struggling to find a buyer.
“This front office is canvassing the NBA right now and figuring out what’s possible for them this offseason,” Fedor said. “From everything that I’m told, they’re having a hard time finding anybody that has a legitimate interest in Isaac Okoro, unless Isaac also comes with some kind of sweetener from the Cavs, some kind of assets attached to his contract.”
Fedor continued.
“…Because I think there are teams out there that are looking at Isaac, and they’re saying, ‘We’d be doing you a favor by taking on his contract. So make it worth our time to do that. Make it worthwhile for us to do that. Give us future second-round picks. Go find a first-round pick somehow that you can trade to us, along with [Okoro]. Then we’ll help you out.”
Cleveland must find ways to improve the current roster. The most logical pathway is by making changes on the edges. Trading Okoro could help make that happen. We’re still in the infancy of the offseason. As such, things can change quickly. For now, though, Cavaliers fans shouldn’t expect any major trades. Instead, small incremental moves appear to be the best path forward.
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