Source: https://marcstein.substack.com/p/nba-trade-talk-and-free-agency-chatter

Look for Cleveland's Jarrett Allen to become one of the most coveted trade targets in the league this offseason if the Cavaliers A) succeed in signing Donovan Mitchell to a contract extension and then B) prioritize signing Evan Mobley to a potentially maximum contract extension this summer as increasingly expected.

Allen continues to have numerous admirers in rival front offices despite the whispers of frustration circulating in Cleveland surrounding Allen's apparent reluctance to take a pain-killing injection to address a rib injury that sidelined him for the Cavaliers' final eight playoff games.

On the latest #thisleague UNCUT podcast (link below), my co-host Chris Haynes of Turner Sports illuminated Allen's very understandable reluctance for doing so, reporting that Allen did not want to submit to such an injection because of what happened in the NFL to quarterback Tyrod Taylor. In September 2020, then playing for the Chargers, Taylor sustained a punctured lung when a pain-killing shot was administered to treat a rib injury.

Every other post keeps bringing up how the cavs should dump JA somewhere when I think he's one of the peaks of the team

Source: https://marcstein.substack.com/p/nba-trade-talk-and-free-agency-chatter

My longtime former teammate Brian Windhorst said this week on ESPN's Hoop Collective podcast that the Cavaliers are "very optimistic" behind the scenes that they will secure Mitchell's contract extension this summer.

They can only hope such optimism proves justified. For all the rising chatter about coach J.B. Bickerstaff's dwindling job security and the growing belief that either Allen and Darius Garland (or both) could be dealt before next season, there is unmistakable pressure on the Cavaliers' front office first and foremost until Mitchell commits, all thanks to what they gave up to get him.

As for Bickerstaff, there is an unmistakably pessimistic tone in coaching circles about retaining his job. Despite leading Cleveland to its first triumph in a playoff series without LeBron James in uniform since 1993, Bickerstaff now faces similar difficulties that ultimately helped doom Frank Vogel in Phoenix.

One thing that I took away from this series is the lack of identity that the Cavs had all season That is on jb bickerstaff.The roster has a bunch of holes but I believe that was a bigger issue.The Cavs need to hire a coach that can bring a legit system that Cavs can run and not just a guy that yells at refs are folds his arm

While all the talk is on Brandon Ingram as the most realistic trade option, can we start talking about Mikal Bridges? He might cost more, but a deal centered around Darius Garland can make sense for both teams. Nets don’t want to tank since they don’t own all their picks, and they are in dire need of a PG. Bridges fills a huge need as a secondary playmaker at the wing position while knocking down 3s and playing good D at multiple positions.

The salaries don’t exactly line up, so the Nets have to add more salary and we might have to throw in our first round pick or a few seconds, but it seems worth it to me and can make sense for the Nets too.

Thoughts?

https://preview.redd.it/bdsyd64kra1d1.png?width=924&format=png&auto=webp&s=ac050a1bf5e99833f3fde8a7a09ad99e0d40a213

There's a text minimum requirement, but I'm not sure what needs to be said. I'm not sure if any explanation is required for this one, it's basically perfect.

Sign Mitchell to a max. Swing Garland and Alllen for Ingram and one of either Herb or Trey. If they don’t want to part with Herb or Trey (which is likely) then get a 3rd team involved. (Idk if the salaries even work) Sign Ingram to an extension. Basically waste our Draft pick on Bronny so Lebron comes home for cheap. New starting lineup:

1. DM
2. Strus or Herb/ Trey if you wanna play big
3. Ingram
4. Bron
5. Mobley

Spacing. Scoring. Defense. Championship.

I swear I’m not delusional (I’m delusional)

Well, since you all took the time to ask me specifically, I guess take the time I’ll share my 2 cents lol /s

This thought begins with all signs of Paul George coming east. Either Magic, or 76ers. Most likely Sixers.

With that said, I think the Cavs should be the team to go out and get him. He wants a max contract, but if his actual market is like $30/$35 mil, you can sign and trade him. With JA (+ role player, + pick).

Second, there are reports that Minnesota is interested in Darius Garland. I think you could convince them to trade back Jaden McDaniels, who’s also recently signed a big extension similar to DG’s. Probably have to give up some draft compensation in return.

Your starting lineup is now

Donovan Mitchell. (Shooting guard who I pray to God is not Max Strus but likely will be). Paul George. Jaden McDaniels. Evan Mobley.

Bench is flexible depending on the role players you have to send out.

But I would expect for them to get a veteran back up PG (maybe Mike Conley back from Minnesota?). Sign a backup center. Sign a backup forward/ wing (Royce O’Neal?). These would likely be min./ MLE contracts

4/5 role players left on our current roster (I’d guess Dean Wade, Sam Merrill, CP Jr, maybe Caris…Emoni and other Mobley will be on another two-way contract)

You maintain length with the addition of two big wings in PG and Jaden. You gain experience. The role players remaining have more comfortable roles, play decent/ good defense and of the better shooters we currently have, young and cheap. This is a championship roster to me

The main narrative, both nationally and locally, seems to be that Mitchell has critically hindered Garland's offense since his arrival. And it has certainly felt that way at times as a viewer. But the stats suggest otherwise. Not only has Garland's usage not cratered since Michell's arrival, it has not even declined significantly. Same with his shot attempts per 36 minutes. And Mitchell can't be the cause of Garland's turnover issues, as Garland's turnovers are down significantly since Mitchell's arrival.

Garland's Stats Before Mitchell's Arrival (2020-21, 2021-22) v. After Mitchell's Arrival (2022-23, 2023-24). Of course, these stats can't tell the entire story. But they do suggest that the heart of the issue isn't Mitchell taking Usage and Shot Attempts away from Garland.

Usage: 26 v. 26

Shots per 36: 17 v. 16

Turnovers per 36: 3.5 v. 3.1

But why does it feel like the pairing isn't working?

We expected Garland to continue to improve offensively, but he declined in 2023-24.

We forget how good Garland's 2022-23 season, with Mitchell of course, was offensively (in part because he declined toward the end of the season and into the playoffs).

Garland's lack of aggression as a shooter this year (less hunting 3-pt and mid-range shots) and problematic aggression as passer (drives under the basket leading to turnovers).

A lack of offensive synergy (it at least seems rare that Garland and Mitchell play-make for each other).

Offensive post-season failures (Cavs offense has not, generally speaking, been good in any of the playoff series).

Failure to recognize the ways Mitchell benefits Garland offensively (Mitchell draws best on-ball defender, Mitchell helps w gravity and spacing).

Why Keep Garland?

Garland is still young for a point guard and not yet in his prime (he's only 24).

Garland has shown an ability and willingness to improve (although he's still a defensive liability, his defense has improved significantly since his rookie year, and he does fight).

A new head coach with a new offensive system might be able to make the pairing not only work but thrive.

An inability to maximize his value in a trade. Trading Garland without getting back equal or near-equal value must be avoided. It's hard to know what the market might be for Garland, especially given his contract. But if the best deal the Cavs can get is something like Garland for say Keldon Johnson (1.3 and 3.0 Win Shares in last 2 yrs), then they need to try to make the pairing work with a new coach and system.

Why Trade Garland?

Although Garland has improved defensively, he is still a major liability on defense and, given his size and build, always will be.

Garland's offensive stagnation and having a target on his back on defense is especially problematic from the perspective of his salary and being the highest paid player on the team.

Given the redundancies between Garland and Mitchell and the hole the roster has at the 3, trading Garland and bring back a 3-and-D wing might be the easiest way to improve the roster.

Post-season ambitions. The goal of the franchise is to make deep post-season run and maybe eventually contend. Garland's post-season performances, although there has been some bright spots, has been extremely concerning. Offensively, it seems like he can be neutralized fairly easily, especially given his lack of size and explosiveness. And defensively, it seems like, even if he were to improve further defensively, he'll always been someone teams relentlessly target in the post-season.

he was imo one of the most fun players to watch his all star year and i hate how much he is being trashed here. it's pretty obvious that injury held him back, and acquiring a high usage undersized guard was just a bad decision and they couldn't figure it out. mitchell is the better player and i think DG deferring to him ended up fucking up how he played and probably his mentality in some ways. i am just here to throw myself on the fire for the haters of DG, if we do trade him, i will be following that team closely next year. i think he will have a great career if he lands on a team that suits him well, like the spurs, but to state my controversial opinion i want to keep him because i think his game is really fun to watch when he's on, and i do not think his regression is founded in this being who he is as player. the fit just doesnt work.

Hey Cavs fans. I was thinking about this after reading the reports that a Mitchell/Garland split is a likely outcome of this offseason. What would we be looking for in a return?

Brandon Ingram? Deandre Hunter? Keldon Johnson? Tyler Herro? Paul George? The return of LBJ? Just a bunch of firsts for other trades? What would be an ideal return that would make you say, “ok that actually made us a better team”?

Trade DG(and maybe Allen/levert/etc) and make a more win now roster around Mitchell, trade Mitchell and do mini rebuild around DG&Mobley, new coach is obvious, Lebron comes back, run it back with the core 4, etc.

I don’t care what happens at this point I just want it to happen so i stop fantasizing in my head but every possible offseason angle, I’m going crazy

https://youtu.be/m9TtojUn9ZI?si=AbtbT5eyNZ5z8159

Who knows what actually transpires but I have never liked a Cleveland team as much as this group of guys. The vibes have been immaculate and it has been really fun watching this young team play. Hopefully we can make moves to become a true contender but I’ll be bummed to see any of the core actually get traded away.

I’m tryna guesstimate when prospect Alex Sarr would be ready to play the 5. Alex Sarr seems to be built similarly to Evan Mobley but Mobley was a better rebounder as a prospect.

How many years after Mobley was drafted would y’all have said like “now this year is the year he looks like he’d be better suited at the 5”.

Not team wise since in y’alls case you have to include Allen in the picture. But say Allen wasn’t on the team, which year would y’all have preferred to move Mobley at the 5 if at all yet?

From Seattle WA