Cleveland, OH (92.3 The Fan) – The Cavaliers are going to make moves before Thursday’s trade deadline. It wouldn’t be shocking if they dealt multiple veterans for future assets, even if it meant adding salary. ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine is a fun and useful tool when looking at potential deals. Here are six trades I came up with – and yes, I used my imagination.
Cleveland completes three-team blockbuster with Los Angeles and New Orleans.
Cavaliers get: Lonzo Ball, Michael Beasley, Lance Stephenson and the Lakers’ 2021 first round-pick
Lakers get: Anthony Davis and Elfrid Payton
Pelicans get: Kevin Love, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Ivica Zubac and Lakers' 2019 first-round pick
View deal in the trade machine here.
This deal makes sense for everyone involved. The Pelicans are looking to get an arm and two legs for Davis. Why not deal him for a five-time All-Star in Love? He would fit well with Jrue Holliday, who they want to keep. The Pelicans also get a valuable draft pick and two promising young players in Kuzma and Ingram. This is the type of deal that New Orleans should pursue. It’ll keep them competitive in West. The front office doesn’t want to tear it down. This gives them legitimate chance to stay viable for the rest of 2019 and beyond. The Cavaliers aren’t shopping Love, but getting out from under his contract, adding a player like Ball, who could be a future All-Star and a future first-round pick is too tempting for Koby Altman and company. The Lakers have to trade the majority of their assets, but they get the superstar they’ve been hoping for.
Cleveland agrees to deal with Houston.
Cavaliers get: Brandon Knight, first-round pick
Rockets get: Alec Burks
View deal in the trade machine here.
These two teams have discussed this exact deal according to Zach Lowe. Burks would give the Rockets a nice scoring option off the bench. The Cavaliers add Knight in their quest to acquire as many future assets as possible. They are going to trade Burks. It’ll be interesting to see how much they can get for him.
Cleveland adds future assets in deal with Detroit.
Cavaliers get: Reggie Jackson, 2019 first-round pick
Pistons get: Alec Burks and Rodney Hood
View deal in the trade machine here.
The Cavaliers are open to adding future salary if it means acquiring draft picks. Of course the Pistons would put top-five protections on the pick, but it’s still worth it for the Cavs. They trade two expiring contracts, add a valuable pick and bring in another player whose contract expires after next season. Tristan Thompson, Jordan Clarkson and now Jackson become valuable trade chips a year from now. These are the type of deals the Cavaliers will be looking for.
Cleveland and Memphis swap disgruntled players.
Cavaliers get: Chandler Parsons, 2020 first-round pick
Memphis gets: Alec Burks and J.R. Smith
View deal in the trade machine here.
Parsons has dealt with injuries and just never caught on in Memphis. He gets a chance to show he can still play in the NBA. The Cavaliers unload Smith’s contract and add a future first-round pick. The pick would have plenty of protections on it, but this gives Memphis a chance to unload Parsons, while acquiring Burks and Smith – both would become buyout candidates.
Cleveland and San Antonio swap former NBA champions.
Cavaliers get: Pau Gasol, 2020 first-round pick and 2021 second-round pick
Spurs get: Tristan Thompson
View deal in the trade machine here.
Thompson is a leader with championship experience, which is exactly why the Spurs would be interested in a deal like this. He’d team up with Lamarcus Aldridge and Demar DeRozan to give San Antonio a chance to make another deep playoff run. The Cavaliers add a veteran in Gasol – who they could buy out and two draft picks. If Cleveland is going to rebuild, they need to acquire assets. Thompson is a valuable member of the Cavaliers, but getting two draft picks for him would be tempting. They will probably keep Thompson, but anything can happen between now and Thursday’s deadline.
Cleveland agrees to blockbuster trade with Portland.
Cavaliers get: Evan Turner, Seth Curry, Anfernee Simons, Portland’s 2019 first-round pick and Portland’s 2021 first-round pick.
Trail Blazers get: Kevin Love and Rodney Hood
View deal in the trade machine here.
The Cavaliers probably won’t trade Love, but if they do, it’ll be to a team hoping to compete right away. Portland goes all-in to give Damian Lilliard and C.J. McCollum a legitimate third option. They also add Hood, who can provide scoring off the bench. Cleveland continues their rebuild by trading their best player in exchange for multiple first-round picks. Simons was selected 24th overall last June. They bring him into the fold, along with Turner, who will have value a year from now since he’ll be on an expiring deal. The Cavaliers aren’t looking to move Love, but a couple first-round picks might get it done. Playoff contenders like Portland, Houston, Utah and Toronto could have interest in a deal like this.
