PROPOSED TRADE FRAMEWORK:
CAVS Receive - Jakob Poeltl
SPURS Recieve - Isaac Okoro, Dylan Windler, 2023 Unprotected 2nd RD Pick (Cavs)
NOTE - Draft picks are needed for the trade to realistically happen in real life. This framework is a starting point for discussion; not sure how many picks would be needed.
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WHY CAVS MAKE THE TRADE:
You may be surprised by this trade. Why would Cleveland target Poeltl over a better 3&D wing option (like Richardson or McDermott)?
Because the Cavs' true weakness is the "Jarett Allenless minutes."
When the Cavs were injury-ridden in the second half of last year, most fans blamed the losses on a lack of scoring options besides Garland. While I agree, I argue that the more important reason contributing to the Cavs' losses was not having a high-quality defensive presence in the paint.
Streaky-scoring teams can still win games on bad nights if they play sound defense. The Cavs, though, have struggled to win without Jarett Allen - the MVP foundation that makes their unique defense work soundly.
The solution is simple - get Poeltl, a mobile defensive big man, to shore up the primary backup center minutes and act as top insurance in case Allen goes down
With Poeltl on the Cavs, it would allow for the following:
Mobley to not play as the center, where he has sometimes struggled defensively without Allen.
Allow Allen and Mobley to rest together by running out Love and Poeltl on the floor.
Allow Lopez to slot into the 3rd string center spot as further injury insurance
Consolidate the bench rotation from being wing dominated to big man dominated
Helps further cover Garland and Mitchell's defensive flaws with another solid big man defender in the paint
Still not convinced "Jarett Allenless minutes" as a primary issue holding the Cavs back?
Consider the following stats (as of 12/29/2022):
Jarett Allen win shares (21-22): 8.5 - Best
Jarett Allen win shares (22-23): 3.8 - 2nd best
Cavs Defensive Rating with Allen on the Court (21-22/22-23): 106/106
Allen/Mobley/Love/Lopez +/- (per 100 possessions) on the court rating (22-23): +7.7/+2.5/+8.0/-3.7
Allen/Mobley/Love/Lopez +/- Net (per 100 possessions) (22/23): +5.2/-9.5/+3.8/-10.3
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WHY SPURS MAKE THE TRADE:
Okoro and Windler could prove valuable, given the Spurs' history of excellent player development.
The trade primarily benefits Okoro allowing him:
to maximize his defensive potential by learning from Popovich's defensive-oriented system
to continue to improve on outside shooting
to get a fresh start without any high stakes, in-game pressure to perform
rebuild value for upcoming restricted free agency
While the Spurs have some young players already, Okoro and Windler could become building blocks for the Spurs' future. There are a lot of risks, as either player has not panned out thus far and might not work out for the Spurs either.
CONCLUSION:
I admit this package is not as crazy as a trade package centered around James Wiseman or other young players.
Without ample draft picks, I cannot see the Spurs accepting this Cavs trade offer over ones from other teams.
With Embiid, Giannis, B. Lopez, KD, R. Williams, Capela, Turner, and Porzingis as East paint threats, the Cavs ought to double down on their defensive identity to make it a super strength.
Should the Cavs overpay and acquire Poeltl, they would solidify themselves as a legitimate top team in the East, poised with ample depth to make a deep playoff run built on interior defense.
Did I mention the Cavs also save money and open up a roster spot? ;)