CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It’s the latest edition of Hey, Chris!
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Hey, Chris: Will the Cavs consider trading Caris LeVert to upgrade the small forward spot? -- Andrew, Shaker Hts.
Hey, Andrew: Trading for a small forward upgrade is easier said than done. And upgrade is the poignant term.
The Cavs have a limited number of trade assets due to recent deals, including September’s blockbuster for Donovan Mitchell and the LeVert acquisition at February’s deadline. Cleveland’s 2023 first-round pick is headed to Indiana -- provided the Cavs make the playoffs, which seems highly likely unless there’s a significant injury that alters the team’s current trajectory.
So, what could the Cavs realistically offer to get a player who can provide more than what’s already on the roster? What would that type of player cost?
Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Mitchell aren’t going anywhere. Cleveland’s other ancillary pieces won’t get nearly the same level of interest from rival teams.
Does some combination of Cedi Osman -- and his declining contract -- third-year swingman Isaac Okoro, oft-injured former first-round pick Dylan Windler and multiple second-rounders move the proverbial needle? Would the cap-strapped Cavs, about $2.5 million away from the luxury tax and unwilling to creep over that threshold, really be willing to take back a big-salaried player in a Kevin Love megadeal?
Given everything, LeVert is the team’s most attractive -- and expendable -- trade chip.
He has an $18.7 million expiring contract that provides stand-alone value for an opposing team looking to shed salary and possibly enter into a rebuild. Plus, he can also be a trade match for a help-now suitor, expanding the list of potential teams around deadline time. Beyond that, his salary number matches many of the perceived available targets, keeping the Cavs from having to add other players in the deal or take back extra ones.
The Cavs like LeVert. They acquired him in February for a reason. He won the starting small forward job out of training camp before there was a mutual decision to make him a sixth man -- the role many inside the organization feel is best for his skill set. The Cavs also believe LeVert can benefit greatly from Ricky Rubio’s eventual return. The last part remains to be seen. If the ball-dominant, high-usage LeVert had an issue with comfort alongside Garland and Mitchell, won’t similar problems arise next to Rubio, who will drive the offense for that revamped second unit?
Anyone coming back in a potential LeVert swap would need to be viewed as an appreciable talent upgrade or a better-fitting piece.
There’s been constant speculation about Sacramento Kings two-way forward Harrison Barnes -- a name that’s been in the rumor mill for years. He would be an obvious fit, bringing a combination of 3-point shooting, floor spacing and playoff experience while snuggly sliding into a complimentary role on a contending team. It’s what he’s done for most of his career. But you know who else likes Barnes? Sacramento. You know who else has playoff aspirations? Sacramento. And Barnes likes Sacramento as well, re-signing with the Kings on a long-term deal in 2019.
Sources say the cost for Barnes has been far too high in past years -- a first-round pick plus -- and it’s only gone up given the Kings’ current success and the role he occupies on that playoff hopeful. Prying him away would likely take more than what the Cavs are willing to give.
There are more realistic 3-and-D players on non-contenders, guys who can bring the kind of consistent outside shooting that LeVert, Okoro and Lamar Stevens -- the current starting 3 -- all lack.
Brooklyn’s Joe Harris, San Antonio’s Doug McDermott or Josh Richardson, Houston’s Eric Gordon, Charlotte’s Kelly Oubre Jr. -- although there are some personality concerns there -- underutilized Darius Bazley of the Thunder, Utah’s Malik Beasley and Detroit’s Saddiq Bey or Bojan Bogdanovic. Some of those options are, obviously, more appealing than others. Not all of them are natural 3s, but rather hybrid wings that offer added versatility.
Perhaps even Washington’s Kyle Kuzma could be had if the Wizards start to believe re-signing him will be far too expensive. Or what about Dallas sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr., whose contract runs through the 2024-25 season? LeVert would not only give the Mavericks another capable ballhandler to take some of the burden off wunderkind Luka Doncic, but the swap would also allow Dallas to clear some future salary space, making it a free agency threat. Something to consider.
Those are just a few possibilities. Many more will materialize as the season progresses.
No matter the player, the cost will be high. Two-way wings who can shoot don’t come cheap and are always in demand. We will dive much deeper into this over the next month.
Hey, Chris: When will Ricky Rubio be back and whose minutes could he take? -- Cavs fans everywhere.
Hey, Cavs Nation: You’re all asking this same question. The most honest answer is I don’t know. Neither do the Cavs.
Rubio continues to make steady progress in his recovery from a torn ACL in his left knee. It’s the second such injury in his career.
I keep hearing the hopeful timeline is sometime in January -- about 12 months removed from surgery, which is the general recovery time for a player nowadays. But there are always many factors involved.
Rubio met with team doctors Monday, and then resumed his usual pregame workout routine Tuesday night ahead of the national television showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers. That’s a positive sign. He also recently participated in 3 on 3 -- another critical step in his recovery. But he will need to progress into 5 on 5 and then full practices before the Cavs, who don’t want to rush him, are comfortable giving him the green light.
When he comes back, the Cavs will continue to be cautious. It will take him time to shake off the rust, clear a minute restriction and regain his rhythm. Still, his ability to run a team, organize the offense and elevate his teammates -- the way he did with Osman and Love specifically last season -- will be beneficial, even if he’s not immediately the same high-level player from last season’s surprising start.
While it’s hard to know whose minutes he will take given Cleveland’s current pile of injuries and how the lineup could change over the next month, Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff has repeatedly expressed his comfort using a tight nine- or 10-man rotation most nights.
Mitchell should see his minutes come down a smidge. The plan was never to have him carry such a heavy burden, averaging 36.7 minutes, which is the fourth-most in the league. Garland could have his lowered a bit, so he is not mentally and physically drained heading into the home stretch and postseason. He is averaging 36 minutes.
Rubio’s impact starts there. Beyond that, LeVert (to some degree), Okoro and Osman would be in most danger of losing playing time.
Hey, Chris: What are the plans for Kevin Love this season and beyond? -- Mike G, San Diego, Calif.
Hey, Mike G: Given Love’s importance to the team (one of the experienced veteran leaders and second-unit stabilizers) and his contract ($28.9 million this season), it’s hard to see him being traded. There’s just not an obvious a high-priced match.
Oft-rumored John Collins plays the same position as Mobley. Same with Denver’s Aaron Gordon, who has been mentioned at past deadlines.
Gordon Hayward? Tobias Harris? Both have bloated salary numbers extending beyond this season, impacting Cleveland’s financial flexibility moving forward. Norman Powell? His number fits better in a LeVert swap. Hard to see the reigning champion Golden State Warriors even considering the possibility of dealing Draymond Green or Andrew Wiggins.
The best bet is Love staying, playing out the final season and re-upping in the summer at a more reasonable number that works for both sides.
Even though Love’s journey has been tumultuous at times, sources say there’s mutual interest in extending this partnership beyond this season and having Cleveland be the final chapter of his Hall-of-Fame career. Both sides see value in that. Perhaps Love could become the Cavs’ version of Udonis Haslem, who is still in Miami because of what he brings off the court.
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