The Cavaliers are willing to deal this year’s first-round pick and might also move Ricky Rubio‘s contract in order to acquire another guard or wing, Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Cleveland has been the league’s biggest surprise, piling up victories despite losing Collin Sexton and Rubio to season-ending injuries. The Cavaliers have won eight of their last nine games and are 11 games above .500.
This week, the Cavaliers were granted an $8.9MM Disabled Player Exception — half of Rubio’s salary — due to the torn ACL he suffered last month. That exception would be nullified if they traded Rubio before using it. Rubio will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Cleveland owns all of its first-round picks and has eight extra second-rounders at its disposal, including a pair this season, while only owing two second-rounders to other clubs. The team also has a $4.3MM trade exception at its disposal.
But as Fedor notes, the team is approximately $3MM below the luxury tax threshold and also doesn’t want to wreck the chemistry it has built. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said those factors will come into play regarding any moves president of basketball operations Koby Altman might make.
“We’ve had a lot of conversations about that,” Bickerstaff said. “We know how fragile chemistry is and how quickly it can be bothered. This is a very important time for our team, an opportunity — if they’re there — to improve itself, but also an opportunity to not feel rushed to do something that could impact the chemistry we’ve built. Our front office has a heavy understanding of how important that is. They are aggressive to improve this team. They do a lot of homework and understand the type of people you’re going to bring in if you do decide to make a move. We do have something good brewing here with the group. Definitely don’t want to do something that negatively impacts it.”
Dinwiddie possible? WAS will prefer Beal if possible and those two keep getting said to be not getting along. ubio always fits, and he would be FA at the same time for maximum WAS flexability.
Cleveland needs a wing, not a pg
Dinwiddie can play off the ball, he isn’t just a pg. Thanks for not mentioning T.J. Warren though.
My biggest fan ladies & gentlemen! Lol I gotta thank you right back for mentioning Warren for me. He makes Cleveland a team that can actually do damage this postseason. Dinwiddie on the other hand is a guy they definitely don’t need. Garland himself is a pg that can play off the ball. Cleveland has been dangerous the past few weeks when they play Rondo & Garland together bc Garland is able to be more aggressive as a scorer in those lineups. Dinwiddie doesn’t help them nearly to the level that Warren would, plus they’d have the flexibility of TJ being on an expiring contract opposed to paying Dinwiddie a big long term deal to be their best player’s backup
You just wrote more about TJ Warren.
Why?
You brought him up
Cleveland needs a PG, no?
Dont think Washington wants dead money on the books. They want a playoff run now.
How about:
Sacramento takes on Rubio, Hachimura and a first
Washington get Hield, Hachimura doesnt play anyway
Cavs get Dinwiddie
Rubio in SAC would get buried again like at Detroit, behind supposed future stars.
Im am not in favor of seeing Rubio leave the starting lineup, much less the Cavs, but people keep talking about it like he secretly wants out. Perhaps Sexton is the priority and a choice must be made. I would make the short-sighted choice, Rubio, but I do not work for a FO.
Dins is a better compromise!
My unposiitive comments on Warren seem to have disappeared. He is fine if he can be had, but a PG who can bring out other’s strengths would make the biggest dif in winning.
Rubio could end up in a sign and trade next season.
Eric Gordon for Rubio and 2022 top 10 protected First
Warren is cheaper, better & bigger than EJ. Plus EJ has yrs & big $ left on his contract
Dude. Stop.
Warren has peaked and gets onjured a lot. Not a great choice for a starter… per the article^, there has to be a personal/style fit.
It should be obvious that the Cavs are doing things differently… they are starting two guys said to be 5s, another seven-footer who the Bulls were making a 5 out of a 4, another forward with no guard skills so far (Okoro), and a 1 who would rather be a 2.
What is missing is a natural 1 who can keep the pieces fitting, the model being Rubio, who got the ship pointed right in the beginning, like Dinwiddie did. They have young 3s to rotate, but they are presumably using their difference to throw off opponents.
Hawks have many wings, to np great success.
Also I think Warren can be had for less.
Cedi, Pangos & Cle’s 2022 1st to Indiana for TJ Warren… Warren should be ready to return shortly after the deadline in mid February & would be a huge boost to Cleveland’s offense. He would make alot of sense as a guy to extend as well. This also allows Cleveland to use some or all of that huge injury exception they just got if a difference maker like JWall comes available on the buyout market… Indiana would get Cedi plus another 1st to go with Goga, Duarte, IJackson plus whatever they get for Domas to give their rebuild a nice, deep foundation of young talent
Cedi balling out w 2nd unit. He ain’t getting dealt on that team friendly deal unless it’s for a huge piece.
TJ Warren is arguably on an even more team friendly deal & he would be a huge piece for Cleveland. He was playing at a borderline all-star level before got hurt. He’s squarely in his prime & he’s obviously on a different level than Cedi Osman
What about a different Pacer in LaVert
Rubio the 1st and 1 2nd might get it done
Cle gets a jump on next seasons dull free agency and avoids any overpays…OR can use Laverts quality expiring for a bigger deal if it comes along organically in the meantime . Kinda kills 2 birds w 1 stone here while keeping Cle completely fluid, gets help for 22 and 23 and the cupboard is still well stocked
Basically because Warren is better, he’s bigger, he’s cheaper, he’s on an expiring contract & trading for him instead of Caris allows Cle to keep their huge injury exception in case a big time player comes available on the buyout market
Rubio and Lavert match so they’d still keep the exception
Id think the extra year of Lavert would be more appealing than an expiring in all honesty looking at the free agent class next year
The article says the exception is nullified if Rubio is traded. Extending or re-signing Warren would be more appealing than the extra year of LeVert. Caris is definitely a good wing but Warren is definitely better
Warren is too cheap to make the numbers work. Indiana would need to get rid of another player, which could work in a three-team-trade obviously.
Apparently you didn’t see my trade proposal in the original comment. Cedi Osman, Kevin Pangos & Cle’s 2022 1st for TJ Warren works just fine for both teams
Even Warren for Rubio doesnt work. Cavs need to take back more salary than Warren.
Trading Cedi & keeping Rubio allows Cleveland to keep their $9M injury exception
Warren has been out over a year. For a stress fracture on his leg. That alone is not good news. Plus he’s wks away from playing. And months from game shape. He is not worth the risk for this year. Cavs are looking for help NOW. They can pursue Warren in off season if they want. But for this trade deadline they are better off with someone e like Grant or a shooter scorer. A shooter would get great looks playing alongside those bigs.
Ok, didnt read you would keep Rubio. His salary is double the DPE, so unless you keep him next year dont see why you would do that.
Rubio and that late first for Fournier and a second rounder?
Fournier & his $40M guaranteed over the next 2 yrs after this season are definitely not enough return for a 1st rd pick
Knicks would be taking the Rubio contract off their hands also that’s $17m off their books.
If they are intent on keeping Sexton, would make more sense if it’s a rental. Their pick is 25th right now so it’s not a huge value loss.
Gary Harris, RoCo, Lamb. Something along those lines. I think a first is overkill because they are all so so, maybe 2nds.
Rubio and Cavs 1st for Harrison Barnes?
TJ Warren is cheaper, better & has a shorter term contract than Barnes. Also Cle would get to keep their injury exception by trading for him instead of Barnes
Barnes is a better fit for the Cavs his catch and shoot ability fit the shape of our offense much better
Warren is a more efficient scorer, better as far as moving without the ball & scoring without being a focal point of the offense. He’s not bad at c&s either. And again the contract situations are night & day in Warren’s favor
How is Warren safer?? The dude hasn’t played an NBA game since the bubble. At this point, I’m not sure if we ever see TJ Warren out there again. You make it sound like his return is imminent. Even if it was (it isn’t), he hasn’t played since the bubble. Nobodys trading for TJ Warren, nor should they.
His return literally is imminent lol. He’ll be back in a few weeks. And he has played since the bubble. Injuries aren’t forever dude lol. Didn’t you just see Klay come back after 1.5yrs out?
Um, yeah, Klay came back a couple weeks ago, and his results have been a mixed bag so far. It has yet to be determined what version of Klay is coming back after his injuries. Thats beside the point, though. TJ Warren isn’t Klay Thompson, and Klay Thompson isn’t TJ Warren.
His return is not “literally imminent” as you keep insisting. His return was supposedly imminent last season, then last playoffs, then training camp this season, then Christmas, and now it’s who knows when. The dude literally hasn’t played ball in 2 years (see how I used the word literally correctly there?). He wasn’t even that special when he went down with his injury. He had one good performance, in the bubble. Bunch of okay seasons. Those kind of players usually dont bounce back as well as the Kevin Durants of the world. And wth does “injuries are not forever dude” even mean?? Have you not heard of career ending injuries?? To just brush this off like this dude has been out a couple weeks with a sore thumb is just laughable. You talk about TJ Warren like he was some sort of all star, and you blatantly disregard the amount of time he has been out. You also blatantly disregard his numerous setbacks rehabbing the original injury. You don’t think teams are going to be scared away from his medical reports?
You should get familiar with TJ Warren lol hit up YouTube or something
You should get familiar with reality. How’s your dynasty?
We’re currently the hottest team in the East, so pretty great lol
TJ Warren is weeks away from returning, barring setbacks. He just got cleared for increased activity.
Trading for him for anything other than clearing salary would be unwise for a Cavs team trying to make noise in the playoffs. They need someone that’s actually going to play now. By the time TJ would return sometime in Feb they could fall significantly in the standings.
At least wks probably months from game shape. Why would Cavs trade for that. A pick and Rubio can get them a decent player. Caris and Fournier are worth more than that.
I’m not saying the trade is a good idea but your argument is nonsense. Rubio is out for the whole year. Cleveland isn’t dropping in the standings having someone who can actually contribute at some point.
Theone forgot to mention that TJ won’t return unless Jimmy B. promises never to whisper sweet nothings into his ear again. Ok let’s be serious … we’re talking about a TJ nobody.
First I gotta say. The big lineup is really working in Cleveland. Not only the twin towers. But even Markkanen has been playing well with both bigs. All three are getting significant mins.
Okoro is still developing but I like him at the 3 a lot. Fournier is very interesting on Cavs. With those bigs he’d get a lot of good looks. He’d definitely help them, but I rather keep him. A lot of their success is because of Garland. Who at 22 is putting up all star numbers. Game is easier when you have talented bigs. A real PG knows how to use that to teams advantage.
Moving Rubio and a pick. Can get them a nice player that can help them for this playoff push. Long term they can Move Love and Sexton and really set themselves up for long term success. Looking good in The Land.
Cavs Trade: Rubios expiring contract and 2022 Unprotected 1st round pick
Thunder Trade: Kenrich Williams, Derrick Favors
Cavs need more scoring on the wing moreso than toughness/defense. Kenrich is a tough/long/athletic defensive minded wing. Okoro & Lamar Stevens already filling that role well. A vet scorer like TJ Warren fits their needs way more.
Cavs need an active player for PO not TJW
He’s not retired. He’ll be back well before the playoffs
He hasn’t play for almost 2 years … Cavs needs a in-shape guy who can handle the ball when Garland is on the bench like a Schroeder, Lavert… who are clearly on the trade market.
They have Rondo & Goodwin as ballhandlers when Garland sits. Garland won’t be sitting much, they don’t need to trade their best asset for a guy that’s gonna play 15mins/night when Rondo is already handling that just fine. They could use some more scoring/shooting on the wing more than anything. Warren is also on the trade market & he’s a better option than the guys you mentioned
That’s what the Pacers said last season, and earlier this season. Foot injuries are tricky. Nobody is taking TJ Warren
Why would the cavs do this
Add Lu Dort and I think both sides say yes. Dort plays too good for okc, ruins their tank job along with sga, who conveniently went out with an injury recently
Reggie bullock from mavs is available
Cleveland will 1st look to use their Trade exception to target D. Schroeder. They will send a fut 2nd Rd Pick to Bos for Schroeder. That will be a rental most likely. Then after that they will move Rubio & a fut 1st Rd pick to go get Levert.. J Harris possibly. Nets are way over cap Rubio would save em 50+ millions by stretch n wave. CJ McCollum possibly. G Harris. B. Hield. H. Barnes.. T. Ross.. any team looking for Cap Space flexibility next yr. Rubio expiring 18mil is super valuable.. plus a 1st… will get you a Levert. Or a G Harris.
Merci beaucoup
All those names would be helpful. Rondo is not looking like the answer. The gains made by making Garland a two would ne duplicated by anyone at the PG, incl Shroder, who would not “corrupt” Garland in half a year IMO.
Schroder, Gordon, Dinwiddie, Dort, Mccollum, even Levert taking over, all good. Rubio long-term.
Kevin Love and m first round pick for CJ McCollum
Very efficient scorer, great second option ball handler and can offer some experience to this young side.
KLove has always said he wants to go to Portland.
Portland probably say no to this deal but I think the Cavs could sweeten it by including Sexton, or some second rounders or Windler/Wade/Stevens possibly.
That’s should be their main target tho.
That’s too much of a disruption for Cleveland. Love has been playing at a 6th man of the year level and carrying that 2nd unit. Also providing a great veteran presence. Trade Love and our 2nd unit becomes existent. Keeping Love and adding a player like Schroeder would be cheaper and more beneficial.
Crazy to be saying that now because before the season any team could’ve had Kevin for a bag of chips lol.
CJ brings what Cavs have already in Sexton for less money
He’s out injured for the season and then hits FA
I don’t think Cavs wants Sexton to leave for free nor give a fun max (or CJ’contract) cause of the luxury tax but if so they would probably S&T him …
4Yr80/90M$ is a good deal that Cavs can move easily
I do agree it would be a big move but I think it’s worth it. Garland CJ Okoro Mobley and Allen with Markeneen playing KLoves 6th man shooting big role. Rondo and Osman off the bench aswell.
I just think CJ would work so well with this team. His experience, his handle, his efficiency. Garland can continue to do his thing and have CJ helping him right beside him.
A late first rounder and a ageing point guard coming off a shredded acl wont get you much. The cavs are a nice story for a half season but are playing collectively way above their heads ,love a prime example.
Crazy to say that because a late first rounder last season got them Jarret Allen.
Rubio is out for the year, his contract is expiring and that’s why he is thrown into deals
Give me Dennis Shroeder if all it takes is a 2nd rounder. He’d be a huge boon for our bench which outside of Love is very shaky. I don’t have much confidence in Cedi. Dude is waaaay to streaky. And Rondo is really a non-factor out there unfortunately.
Another player I think they should target is Eric Gordon for Rubio. His outside shooting and toughness on the perimeter would be a great fit for Cleveland. He only has one more year of guaranteed money as well.
Agree, solid plan , they could prolly get both with the TPE and 3 2nds along w Rubio to HOu (they have some extra 2nds stocked as well )
I like the idea of Lavert for Rubio this years first (as the article mentioned ) and a 2nd as well instead of Gordon – But yea Dennis for the TPE and a 2nd looks like gold as you elude too
Gordon has 18M$ garanteed next season before FA. Cavs have less than 4M$ in cap space this year and have to resign Sexton this summer and extend Garland so maybe FO will not be big buyer until Love os gone
Cle sits at 106 mill for next year financial commitments (very healthy)- They could add 18 mill for Lavert Imo and still take care of Gar/Sex
If tax territory is off limits for Cle completely , well then they are just plain stupid as 1 extra playoff series offsets that money in spades
Not a fan of Levert because of his below 3 point shooting. We already have a clogged paint with Mobley and Allen and he’s redundant if they decide to extend Sexton. Sexton is actually a better offensive player than Lavert because he can score on all 3 levels.
Would much rather Gordon or a one year rental of Schroeder.
Anf Simons can be a target and he better fits cavs timeline
if Rubio is traded can his new team apply the DPE?
No
I don’t know when you can trade L Markkanen but I would trade him Rubio, 1st rd pick and a 2nd for B Ingram and G Temple.
How are Markanen and Zion playing together?
That’s not nearly enough for Ingram. Sexton, Okoro and few picks got be in the trade at least
Well they need a young SF to fit the current starting lineup age group and get veterans on the bench . Warren is older than the rest of the starting 5. Look at Zhaire Williams or Josh Jackson or someone else young to develop with the group.
No way they trade Ingram for Lauri and a late 1st. They could have taken him last year much cheaper but they passed on him.
Rubio and 1st for Eric Gordon?
Salaries match perfectly. They stay below luxury tax.
Although Houston can probably get better offers.
I think this idea alternative could be Buddy Heild
Hou auto accepts that, not that it’s outrageous or anything
Rubio, Pangos and picks for Buddy Hield?
Works financially but guess Sacramento can get much better.
Sac probably wants controlled players back
They don’t have money problems and it’s hard for them to attract in free agency. With most selling teams tho your value/match would be fine
Hamidou Diallo, Corey Joseph for Rubio, Goodwin and a first. Diallo has shown when given the opportunity to be the guy he can score 25 a night. Joseph is the ultimate character guy and can be a glue guy. I’d hate to lose either of them but with the Pistons in year two of the rebuild an extra first can come in handy especially when they owe a future first to Houston from the Isiah Stewart trade. Those protections are pretty friendly though.
I’d prefer Justin holiday
• ORL out:
Gary Harris + 2022 IND 2nd (currently #35)
• CLE out:
Ricky Rubio + 2022 CLE 1st (top 4 protected)
This trade keeps Cleveland below the tax while adding a solid 2 way starting level SG for the rest of the season.
The cost is essentially falling back in draft ~10 spots (as of right now).
The Cavs can also re-sign Harris in case Sexton’s price ends up too steep to match.
Harris (27) has been solid on both ends for the Magic:
12 ppg on 56.2 TS% for year
He had a rough first 15g, but has been very effective in Dec/Jan:
15 ppg on 60.2 TS% including 41.1 3p% on ~six 3’s per game.
Harris like Diallo needs a good PG… in these proposals, Diallo comes woth Joseph who keeps rolling along and complements a smaller guard (Garland). ORL has PGs but they are likely still deciding on them.
Brunson would be a good pick up for the Cavs. Schroeder too. Cleveland does not need more than another guard. Terrence Ross as a bench scorer would. Be a good bonus.
So where all the small ball talkers. All the big man era is over talkers. When you got more shooting. Nothing better than an inside outside game. Been saying it for yrs. Real bigs have to be doubled on the blocks. That just leaves a shooter with an open look. Lay Up.
It’s awesome watching people running around and playing 0 defense. There are no more good coaches because the league just jacks up 3s. This defense is as good as all the white guys in the 40s. Just run everywhere and shoot 3s.
Why can’t we still keep Rubio and sign him to at least another 3 years. Prior to his end of season ACL injury people were raving about his experience and background helping the Cavs get to where they are now ? Are we then going to sign Rondo to a longer term. The playing experience both guys bring to this Club is invaluable . Keep Them !!!
In theory i think we can trade him and then just sign him in FA.
We should swap Rubio and a 1st for Hield. He’ll, I’d be willing to throw in a 2nd as well. If that’s a no go, I’d try for Barnes.
I think Rubio and that first for Hield would be great.
The salaries dont match by about 419.000 dollars, but apparently by swapping two low-contract players and using the traded player exception of McGee, the trade works.
Not all contract-combinations work. Pangos for Ramsey or Woodard works.
Cavs: Pangos, Wade, Windler or Stephens
Kings: Ramsey, Woodard, Metu or Jones
But is a first and Rubio enough for Sacramento? And do the Cavs want to use the Javale McGee trade exception for that?
Rubio+Pangos+Picks+Cash to cut Pangos or one of their own for Hield makes more sense.
Davis or Stephens instead of Pangos doesnt work. Wade or Windler instead of Pangos does.
Wow, there’s a lot of Cavs comments here… where was this enthusiasm 10 games ago? Beginning of the season? Last season? The season before that?
If the Cavs and Kings are going to make a mutually beneficial deal.. then the name Ty Haliburton has to be part of the discussion.. Haliburton has about $ 20 MM remaining on his contract that runs through 2025. (a little over 3 1/2 years) The TPE should cover the salary.cap issues although it won’t be needed. With Sexton & both unprotected first and a second picks as the return, this should expedite the Kings rebuild by providing a foundational point guard along with the added talent from the picks. Haliburton and Okoro would make a pair of wings that will complete the cavs roster as they head into the playoffs.