Cavs again viewed as prime trade-deadline candidate
cavs-prime-trade-deadline-candidate
The Cleveland Cavaliers are being singled out as one of the NBA teams most likely to swing a significant trade before next season’s deadline, according to an ESPN panel led by reporter Anthony Slater.
ESPN placed Cleveland in a tie for third with the New Orleans Pelicans under the category “Which team is most likely to make a big move before the trade deadline?” Only the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers ranked higher.
President of basketball operations Koby Altman has a history of unexpected deals, most recently last season’s deadline acquisition of forward De’Andre Hunter. Earlier blockbuster moves under Altman include the 2022 trade for All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell.
The Cavaliers head toward training camp with their core of Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen intact. However, Slater wrote that “disappointment and desperation can breed movement” if that quartet again falls short in the postseason.
Cleveland opened 2024-25 with a 15-0 run and finished 64-18 under first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson, yet suffered a second-round playoff exit for the second straight year.
This summer, Altman and general manager Mike Gansey sent Isaac Okoro to Chicago for guard Lonzo Ball and brought back forward Larry Nance Jr. The roster still has one spot to fill before camp, but front-office officials are expected to monitor the market through the February deadline.
Source: Hoops Wire
