The Cavs are clearly in all-out rebuild mode. They sit at 10-40 coming off a win over Chicago and are currently in last place in the NBA, which means it’s time to stockpile as many young players and picks as possible before the trade deadline. Cleveland has some talented players on the roster who could be a help to a contending team’s bench. Let’s hop right in and explore four potential deals the Cavaliers could make at the trade deadline.
1. Rockets Add Bench Help in Burks, Hood
Cleveland trades: Alec Burks, Rodney Hood
Houston trades: Brandon Knight, Marquise Chriss, 2021 second round pick
Houston has a star-studded roster, but they lack depth and might just need to add a few bench pieces to really step up to the next level. Alec Burks and Rodney Hood can both step in and give the Rockets a little self-creating offense off the bench, giving stars James Harden and Chris Paul a break. Plus, they’re both good off-ball shooters, which teams with superstars can never seem to get enough of. Houston would also get rid of Brandon Knight’s contract, which helps them financially, but we’ll get to that in a second.
Meanwhile, this makes perfect sense on the Cleveland side. Burks and Hood are two expiring players who likely aren’t a part of the Cavs future. Marquise Chriss is a good young big man who, just today, requested a trade out of Houston to someplace where he can get an opportunity to play.
Chriss can surely crack the Cleveland rotation, and although he is on an expiring contract, the Cavs would be able to offer him more money in the offseason than most teams if they trade for him. Knight hasn’t played at a high level since his ACL injury in 2016-17 and is not playing well for Houston. His contract is worth around $14M for the next two season, which is OK for the Cavs, whose recent strategy has been to collect contracts that expire after the 2019-20 season and then have a lot of cap space. The final item, that 2021 second round pick is always a nice addition for a rebuilding team like the Cavaliers.
2. Bucks Add Burks
Milwaukee trades: Jason Smith, Thon Maker, DJ Wilson
Cleveland trades: Alec Burks, David Nwaba
The Milwaukee Bucks currently have the best record in the NBA. Behind an MVP-caliber season from Giannis Antetokounmpo and all-star caliber campaigns from Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe. The Bucks bench is decent, but it could do with one more piece. They have plenty of shooting, so why not add a little of instant offense in Burks? Nwaba can also help their depth and add a little defensive energy.
Meanwhile, the big piece of this deal for Cleveland is the young 7-foot center Thon Maker. Maker has recently requested a trade to a team where he can have a bigger role. Maker (pronounced MAH-KER), 21, was selected 10th overall in 2016. Not because of his talent, but because of his ridiculous work ethic and desire to win. He’s been disappointing so far in his career, but he’s only 21 and can still develop into a good center. He’s got the height, length and a good jumpshot. D.J. Wilson is a solid young power foward, and veteran Jason Smith would be included for salary matching purposes (he’s on a $5M, expiring contract).
3. Hornets Take the Next Step
Charlotte trades: Bismack Biyombo, 2019 second round pick (from OKC), 2019 second round pick (less favorable of DEN and WAS)
Cleveland trades: Rodney Hood, J.R. Smith
Charlotte currently sits at 24-25, eighth place in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons are currently 2.5 games back of them for a playoff spot, so Charlotte is going to need a little more help if they’re going to stay one step ahead of Detroit. Kemba Walker’s contract is expiring this year, and he’s likely not coming back, so the Hornets would like to make the most of his final season. Or, if they show that they’re making moves to win it could influence Kemba’s decision this offseason.
J.R. Smith hasn’t suited up for a Cavs game in awhile and is the most obvious Cavalier to try to trade, and he can help space the court for Charlotte. Meanwhile, Rodney Hood adds an additional offensive boost and, again, more shooting to that Hornets offense. It’s not a huge trade or anything, but it puts Charlotte into a good position to have a good shot at the playoffs this year.
Meanwhile, Cleveland acquires the bad contract of Bismack Biyombo, $17M for the next two seasons. As we mentioned earlier, it fits in with the Cavaliers plan to bunch up the “expiring in ’19-20” contracts. The picks are, as always a good addition to a rebuilding team and Cleveland rids themselves of the $3.87M guaranteed of Smith’s contract next year, even if he’s cut (it’s worth over $15M if he’s not cut).
4. Blazers Rid of Bad Contracts, Add Bench Help
Portland trades: Evan Turner, Meyers Leonard, 2019 first round pick, 2021 second round pick
Cleveland trades: J.R. Smith, Alec Burks, Rodney Hood
Portland currently sits at 31-20, 4th in the Western Conference. While they aren’t talked about much at all, Damian Lillard is quietly having another exceptional year and has lead Portland to unexpected success. They’re star-studded with Lillard, shooting guard CJ McCollum and a few other nice pieces like center Jusuf Nurkic.
Portland needs more depth to step up into the level of teams like Golden State, Denver, Houston, and even Oklahoma City. This trade gives them just that. Smith, Burks and Hood could bring a lot of great offense to a currently weak Portland bench, and Hood might even start at small forward for them. They also get rid of two bad contracts.
Turner and Leonard are on $17.9M and $10.6M deals, respectively, but they go along with our common theme of expiring after the ’19-20 season. This is our only deal that involves a first round pick, which the Cavaliers would be happy to take for three players who aren’t a part of their future.
