PHOENIX — Less than a week before the NBA trade deadline, talks are intensifying for the Cavs — and other teams around the league.
Short-handed Cleveland, winners of five straight and seven of eight, has started its Eastern Conference ascension, just a game out of second place. And yet, sources tell cleveland.com that the Cavs are actively looking to improve the roster — if possible — ahead of Thursday’s 3 p.m. buzzer.
Even though the Cavs have explored numerous trade possibilities and one source recently said they were “open for business,” De’Andre Hunter and Lonzo Ball are still currently viewed as the most likely departures.
There is one variable that must be laid out first.
Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo. He is this deadline’s whale.
The Cavs — facing lofty expectations, a massive payroll, immense pressure and a somewhat-ticking clock — must at least consider that possibility.
“It’s Giannis,” a rival executive told cleveland.com. “Nothing more needs to be said.”
Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP and an NBA champion. He is one of the league’s premier players — a landscape-shifting force that will alter any franchise’s trajectory. And he’s available.
How often does that happen?
Of the many, many, many Giannis suitors, the Cavs, theoretically, have quite possibly the best young player to dangle in a compelling package: Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley.
That’s not to say the Cavs will discuss or have discussed Mobley with Milwaukee. But he’s the piece the Bucks would rightfully demand and when a player like Antetokounmpo becomes available, which franchise doesn’t, at the very least, discuss it internally?
Antetokounmpo holds a player option for the 2027-28 season. He has a voice in this process. His input could certainly play an unquantifiable role in what rival teams are willing to surrender, especially given there would be no immediate assurances about how long he stays.
Don’t forget, the Cavs took a similar risk (albeit at a different time of year) with Donovan Mitchell in the summer of 2022 — and not only has Mitchell stayed in Cleveland, repeatedly expressing his happiness, but he’s led the franchise to three straight playoff appearances. A fourth is likely coming this spring.
Mitchell, expected to be named an All-Star reserve Sunday night, is under contract for only one more guaranteed season. Like Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, Mitchell has a $53.8 million player option for 2027-28.
Cleveland trading for Antetokounmpo, who makes $54.1 million this season, seems far-fetched. It wouldn’t only be Mobley included. Other teams would probably have to be involved, and other deals would need to be consummated just to make it fit within the salary cap rules.
To this point, the Cavs haven’t shown an appetite to make such a drastic midseason roster shake-up. The current belief is that kind of move would be more likely entertained this summer, depending on what happens in the playoffs.
But acquiring Antetokounmpo would make Cleveland the clear-cut conference favorite and a real threat to the Thunder throne — if the team can’t reach that status organically.
If truly motivated, the Cavs, despite a relative dearth of draft capital (only either a 2031 or 2032 first-rounder and four seconds), with Mobley as the centerpiece, might even be able to win the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
Is Mobley ready to be Mitchell’s postseason co-star? What about Darius Garland? Rising Star Jaylon Tyson?
That question doesn’t persist with Giannis. He is on the same championship timeline.
It’s worth thinking about. It’s also fair to wonder if Cleveland can get there without him.
For all their flaws and underachievement this season, the Cavs have also shown a massive ceiling at various points, they’re playing their best basketball and there’s reason to believe this recent upward course will continue.
Even though Garland has had problems with both big toes, he is on the mend, accompanying the Cavs on this road trip and going through daily on-court workouts. On Friday morning, Garland was one of a handful players that ventured to a nearby high school for the team’s voluntary shootaround. Mobley is set to return from a second calf strain on the same leg around the All-Star break. Max Strus, after a recent setback with his surgically repaired foot, is making enough progress to get back on the court for individual sessions. He was also doing drills Friday in Phoenix.
At some point in the next month, the prospective depth chart and every-night rotation could look as good as any East foe.
Then again, that’s been the running theme since training camp and the Cavs have yet to consistently look the part of a title contender.
If not Antetokounmpo, who else could they acquire? Who else could be viewed as an upgrade?
Sources say Cleveland and Los Angeles — teams who played each other Wednesday night in LeBron James’ latest homecoming — have discussed the framework of a deal involving Hunter and a third team to help with salary ramifications.
In the midst of one of his worst statistical seasons, Hunter would go to the Lakers for versatile swingman Rui Hachimura and disgruntled youngster Dalton Knecht, the 2024 first-round pick who has reportedly demanded a trade. It’s unclear at this point what else would be included to incentivize a third team. The Lakers have also countered with other variations of the same deal, offering the expiring contracts of Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber.
With a franchise-high $394 million payroll, the Cavaliers are the league’s only second apron team. They can’t take back more salary in a trade (other than acquiring a player on a veteran minimum contract). They can’t aggregate contracts to send in a trade. They also can’t send out cash in a trade or sign a player who was waived and had a preexisting salary of at least $14.1 million.
It makes any deal complicated.
The Lakers, meanwhile, are a tax team. They seem to be trying to thread a delicate needle — compete now, with LeBron in the final year of his contract while also preserving financial flexibility.
Because of that, a third or fourth cap-space team — Brooklyn (ranked 30th in payroll), Utah (the Cavs’ usual go-to trade partner) or Washington (with former Cleveland front office members as part of the organization’s decision-making group) — would be needed.
No one knows what James is going to do this summer. Not even him. He reiterated as much Wednesday. But the Lakers could have around $50 million in cap room this summer and nearly double that amount in 2027.
That means they can afford Hunter who is making $23.3 million this year and $24.9 million next year.
In the short term, Hunter becomes the theoretical 3-and-D wing the Lakers have been scouring the market to obtain — a guy who was having a career year in Atlanta before joining the Cavaliers last February. Then, he could slot into James’ (possible) vacated small forward spot. Playing alongside Luka Doncic, in a different role and system, might even help Hunter return to his pre-Cleveland form.
As for Hachimura, he’s both a help-now asset and form of future salary relief for the cap-strapped Cavs.
On an expiring deal that makes him an unrestricted free agent this summer, Hachimura is averaging 12.1 points, shooting 43.3% from 3-point range and is capable of guarding multiple positions — a must in coach Kenny Atkinson’s switch-heavy defensive scheme.
He’s essentially a Hunter facsimile — minus the extra year on the contract that is problematic for an apron team.
Dealing Hunter — especially with the emergence of Jaylon Tyson and Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Merrill’s recent return from a hand injury and Dean Wade continuing to make a nightly impact — would help Cleveland clean up its books for next season.
Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis is another player the Cavs have discussed in a Hunter deal — although that was at a time the Bucks were gauging the market on Portis’ value and believed to be looking for Hail Mary additions to appease Antetokounmpo. Sources say the Cavs turned down the original Portis iteration.
Keep an eye on Sacramento.
Sources say the Cavs are one of a plethora of interested suitors for rugged guard Keon Ellis. There’s a general financial framework that could work — or get close — when pairing Ellis with DeMar DeRozan or Malik Monk.
Ellis, by the way, is extension-eligible after the deadline.
Dallas Mavericks swingman Naji Marshall is another player on the Cavaliers’ trade radar. Then again, they aren’t the only ones looking at him and his team-friendly contract. Plus, two apron teams conducting business is tricky. In the case of Marshall, it would be a swap involving Ball, with the Mavericks getting salary relief and draft compensation.
Chicago’s free-agent-to-be Ayo Dosunmu is interesting as a secondary creator. Same with teammate Tre Jones. What about New Orleans irritant Jose Alvardo? Could Cleveland try to pry away in-demand swingman Saddiq Bey? Is Washington’s Justin Champagnie ready for a bigger role on a better team? Would the Wizards even move him? Portland’s Jerami Grant has been a long-desired Cavs target and would be a stylistic fit — if not for his hefty salary.
The clock is ticking toward Thursday afternoon.
At the time the Cavs acquired Hunter from Atlanta, Tyson was an afterthought — an unused rookie who trekked to the G League just to get meaningful game reps and on-court developmental opportunities. Same goes for Tomlin who has emerged from obscurity into a guy who may soon have his two-way contract converted into a standard deal. Merrill is having the best year of his career in an expanded role. Wade has held down the starting spot. Then there’s Strus who will slot into the rotation somewhere when he is ready.
The status quo has changed.
The immediate need for Hunter doesn’t exist to the same level. His importance has diminished as well. Can the Cavs truly afford this version of Hunter? He’s the fourth-highest paid player on the roster and his nightly production — 13.9 points, 42.2% shooting, 30.9% from 3-point range, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists — isn’t matching that salary number.
Since taking over, president of basketball operations Koby Altman has orchestrated 29 trades.
Could that number increase by next week?
If it doesn’t, it won’t be for a lack of trying.
