Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Deadline

Does This Make Sense?

TRADE #1 Details

• CLE: Santi Aldama

• NYK: Zach Edey, De'Andre Hunter, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, 2030 MEM 1st (via ORL), 2028 MEM 1st (swap)

• MEM: Karl-Anthony Towns, Mohamed Diawara

https://fanspo.com/nba/s/knicks/trades/sUFZv2AoIUGiE4/knicks-are-ready-to-sign-giannis-in-free-agency-in-2027-

TRADE #2 Details

• CLE: DeAndre Ayton, Maxi Kleber, 2026 LAL 1st, 2031 LAL 1st

• LAL: Jarrett Allen

https://fanspo.com/nba/s/lakers/trades/tQMp4hgEqIbHDw/it-wouldnt-be-my-preferred-trade-offer-for-allen-but-i-think-its-okay-

TRADE #3 Details

• CLE: Herbert Jones.

• NOP: Max Strus, 2031 CLE 1st, 2028 CLE 1st (swap), 2030 CLE 1st (swap)

https://fanspo.com/nba/s/cavaliers/trades/_GGQ9rYN1PYUQr/hypothetical-cleveland-trade-proposal-for-herbert-jones-

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STARTING LINEUP (CAVS):

• PG: Darius Garland

• SG: Donovan Mitchell

• SF: Herbert Jones

• PF: Santi Aldama

• C: Evan Mobley

BACKUP FIVE (CAVS):

• PG: Craig Porter Jr.

• SG: Sam Merill

• SF: Jaylon Tyson

• PF: Nae’Qwan Tomlin

• C: DeAndre Ayton

REST OF BENCH (CAVS):

• PG: Lonzo Ball

• SG: Tyrese Proctor

• SF: Dean Wade, Chris Livingston

• PF: Maxi Kleber, Luke Travers

• C: Thomas Bryant, Larry Nance Jr.

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Explanation from Cleveland's perspective:

1. Improves the team's perimeter defense (Herb).

2. Cavs are adding size to their lineups to counter the size of the DG & Don duo (Santi).

3. Cleveland manages to leave the second apron at the end of the season (expiring contracts of Maxi & Lonzo, mainly), improving their salary situation for the next season.

4. In this context, Cleveland could receive better trade offers next season, as they could add several players in a single trade.

5. Mobley begins to develop his game as a full-time center (Ayton would be the backup center).