Low-risk trades likely in Cavs’ plans this offseason

Originally posted on FortyEightMinutes | By Sam Amico | Last updated 4/20/21

For the Cavaliers, this offseason will be about more than just the NBA Draft — though that will undoubtedly be a big part of things. But they will also look to reshape things a little bit with potential trades.

The idea, seemingly, will be to land to some young talent in low-risk moves that could result in high reward. For example, the Cavs had an interest in Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Jarrett Culver ahead of the March 25 trade deadline.

Culver is a former lottery pick who has struggled to find a role with the Wolves in his two seasons. And the Timberwolves had such little confidence in Culver that they went with shooting guard Anthony Edwards with the No. 1 pick in 2020.

Edwards is clearly a superior player to Culver — and Minnesota isn’t likely to keep both.

This isn’t to say the Cavs are dead set on acquiring Culver. Far from it. But that should give you an idea of the type of player they’re seeking this offseason. They would like someone young, who may only need a change of scenery, who could be had rather cheaply.

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report suggested a hypothetical Culver-and-Ricky Rubio-to-Cleveland scenario in which the Timberwolves would receive Cedi Osman, Taurean Prince and a 2022 second-rounder.

Why not, if you’re both teams? All of those players could probably use a new locale.

The Cavs start Darius Garland and Collin Sexton in the backcourt. Both players stand 6-foot-1. So after trading Kevin Porter Jr. to the Houston Rockets earlier this season, the Cavs could undoubtedly use some more youth and some more size at guard.

They may be able to land that in the draft. But they are also focused on getting Kevin Love‘s potential replacement at power forward. That will unquestionably be another draft/trade/free agency focus.

Other potential trade names to keep an eye on this offseason include Detroit Pistons forward/guard Josh Jackson, Golden State Warriors small forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (a free agent), New Orleans Pelicans center Jaxson Hayes (depending on what happens with Jarrett Allen and Isaiah Hartenstein), and even older veteran Houston Rockets shooting guard Eric Gordon.

Yes, the Cavs could undoubtedly use some veterans, too. But the entire offseason will come down to who can be had for next-to-nothing.

Bottom line: The Cavs are hardly a finished product, and they’re getting tired of being bad. One more first-round pick alone isn’t about to change the course of the franchise.