What's up y'all- this is a bit of an attempt to make every team a superteam, or a future one, just to see how top-heavy the league can get. To start off is the Cavs.
Trade 1: Cavs Get: Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Porter Jr. Clippers Get: Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert, Jaylen Tyson, Georges Niang, Craig Porter Jr., and SRPs
Why the Cavs do it: This is the "super" part of the superteam. Kawhi adds all the star power this team currently lacks. Most would question if he changes anything considering the lack of success he had with the Clippers, but things are different here. For one, his offensive support would now be Donovan Mitchell, far more explosive and reliable than either current James Harden or Paul George. And his defensive running mate would be Evan Mobley, a young and durable DPOY-caliber player. Kawhi could settle in as a second option on both ends, and with all the support he needs he could stay healthy and provide an ultimate clutch combo with Spida come playoff time. KPJ becomes a flier to replace all their guard depth, but if he's too talented to let go the Cavs could take Mo Bamba instead.
Why the Clips do it: The Clippers don't have many options. With Paul George gone, they're not designed to compete for a chip, even with a late-career renaissance from Harden, and they'd be better off blowing it up. The issue is, with Kawhi's injury situation and age, his value is lower than ever. Getting a bona fide All-Star level player in Jarrett Allen, young at 26 too, is a solid cornerstone for the future. They take a number of flyers on players such as Jaylen Tyson and Craig Porter Jr. and grab a few seconds in the process. Not the KD or even Rudy Gobert-level superstar haul he would have commanded earlier, but an All-Star and fliers is not a bad return for someone who very few would take at this point. It also gets them a ton of financial flexibility with LeVert's deal expiring and Allen their only expensive player locked up long-term. -----
Trade 2: Cavs Get: Wendell Carter Jr. Magic Get: Max Strus, SRP
Why the Cavs do it: The main reason for moving Allen is not his talent or production, but rather his fit with Evan Mobley. Carter Jr provides a lite version of Allen's lob threat and rebounding while offering a 37.5% three point percentage that provides a dynamic the Cavs didn't have before. He's also a capable defender and with Mobley gives them a solid, strong big man rotation.
Why the Magic do it: Carter has been on their trade block for a while now, especially with Jonathan Isaac resigning, and they need volume shooting instead of a stretch 5. Max Strus adds that off the bench and is an easy flamethrower for Banchero and Wagner to do their work, plus they get a second-round pick for their trouble since they're giving up the more talented player. -----
Trade 3:
Cavs Get: Cam Johnson, Dennis Schroder, 2025 FRP Nets Get: Darius Garland
Why the Cavs do it: With Donovan Mitchell taking over playmaking duties and doing well at it, Garland's future is compromised as an undersized guard who can't defend well enough to offset Mitchell's decentness at that end. With Mobley's passing growth and Kawhi as a capable secondary playmaker there's no reason for the Cavs to rely on him for playmaking, and can instead bring in a hardnosed defender and playmaker in Schroder to back Mitchell. Cam Johnson is the final punch of switchability and shooting, completing a Cavs starting lineup with 4 players 6'7 or taller and 4 players who shoot at least 38% from three. This is the ultimate combination of defense and shooting and a duo of Mitchell and Leonard with this supporting cast can rival Tatum, Brown and the Celtics in the East.
Why the Nets do it: Talent acquisition. The Nets are beginning a very long (or maybe short, if their 2025 pick is as generational as expected) rebuild. Talent talent and more talent is the move regardless of fit, and even if a Garland-Cam Thomas backcourt is eerily similar to a Garland-Mitchell one, it'll give them another building block to work with. A Garland-Cooper Flagg duo could be dangerous if the lottery balls also work out right.
FINAL CAVS DC: PG: Donovan Mitchell, Dennis Schroder SG: Cam Johnson, Kevin Porter Jr., SF: Kawhi Leonard, Isaac Okoro, Emoni Bates PF: Wendell Carter Jr., Dean Wade C: Evan Mobley