Do the Cavs have the pieces to realistically trade for Cameron Johnson?

[ijspeelman]

This has been a rumor for awhile, but has picked up steam lately. The current package it seems the Cavs would offer would be some combination of LeVert, Okoro, and Niang + picks. Maybe Jaylon Tyson/Emoni Bates/Craig Porter Jr if Nets think they have potential.

Does that get it done or are other teams packages just better for a two-team deal to work?

[ecuhus1981]

I think it does.

My preference would be Levert/Porter/1st.

[ijspeelman]

I think it does.

My preference would be Levert/Porter/1st.

The issue right now is that our only tradeable FRP is our 2031. I would assume they'd try to lottery protect it and add in both of our 2025 SRPs (our own and Milwaukee's). We could also do a pick-swap in 2030 instead of trading the 2031 pick.

[DowJones]

an unprotected 2031 1st from Cleveland might be coveted. I would not trade that first if I am Cleveland. I really like Cam Johnson as a fit in Cleveland, however the Cavs should not trade unprotected picks 6 years from now.

[MoneyTalks41890]

Depends who else gets in. But if it’s just Levert and a far out 1st the Nets probably wait until the draft.

[mcfly1204]

I just don't see it. Cam Johnson is not the guy for Cleveland to go all-in on, and I don't see Brooklyn taking a lesser package.

[jbk1234]

I think some caution is warranted when it comes to Vardon's reporting. He's definitely a click bait guy. He and Lloyd, who I actually consider solid, published the piece at the end of last season claiming the Cavs were going to blow it up. Just because a guy has sources doesn't mean those sources are authoritative.

It could be true, but Cam doesn't really seem like an answer to a problem the Cavs have. They have needs, but 3 point shooters isn't one of them.

[DowJones]

Depends who else gets in. But if it’s just Levert and a far out 1st the Nets probably wait until the draft.

I think an unprotected 2031 first from Cleveland has plenty of value. That is a high upside pick that can be used in a deal for a larger superstar a few years from now when Brooklyn is ready to compete.

[nykballa2k4]

I think it does.

My preference would be Levert/Porter/1st.

Nets should have traded him pre-season because I don't think they are going to be able to lose enough to get Baily or Flagg.
At this point, wouldn't it be better to simply hold him as a foundation piece?

Honestly, you are closer to the play-in than the early lotto. It's almost wiser to be buyers

[drchaos]

If the Nets aren't getting two good pieces (first rounders or prospects) I think they just keep Cam.

Levert is playing well but he is expiring and will interfere with the tank so what are the Nets really getting?

[gswhoops]

I think it does.

My preference would be Levert/Porter/1st.

The issue right now is that our only tradeable FRP is our 2031. I would assume they'd try to lottery protect it and add in both of our 2025 SRPs (our own and Milwaukee's). We could also do a pick-swap in 2030 instead of trading the 2031 pick.

The only real appeal of a pick that far out is that it's a high-variance but potentially high-upside asset. Putting lottery protection on it makes it mostly worthless IMO.

[mcfly1204]

If the Nets aren't getting two good pieces (first rounders or prospects) I think they just keep Cam.

Levert is playing well but he is expiring and will interfere with the tank so what are the Nets really getting?

A third (playoff-bound) team would need to get involved, sending value to Brooklyn for LeVert.

[mg]

My assessment is Cavs need a big wing defender and also a 3rd big. Cam is obviously a nice player but doesn't really fit what the Cavs should be trying to acquire.

Between the '30 pick swap, the '31 FRP along with young prospects such as Tyson and Porter Jr they probably have enough sweeteners in their warchest for a Cam type but it doesn't seem like the best use of their assets. It's the type of deal Ishbia would do in PHX.

I think Nets probably get a really nice package from another team by the deadline though.

[axeman23]

I think it does.

My preference would be Levert/Porter/1st.

The issue right now is that our only tradeable FRP is our 2031. I would assume they'd try to lottery protect it and add in both of our 2025 SRPs (our own and Milwaukee's). We could also do a pick-swap in 2030 instead of trading the 2031 pick.

The only real appeal of a pick that far out is that it's a high-variance but potentially high-upside asset. Putting lottery protection on it makes it mostly worthless IMO.

I'd agree with that, but I'd probably still have some protections on it. Something like top 6-8/top3/unprotected, If that protection was legal for a pick that far out. I mean, he was picked at #11, and if you looked at the 11th picks in the decade before he was picked, I think most people would comfortably have Klay, Myles Turner, Domatas and SGA ahead of him career-wise, while Malik Monk and MKW don't disgrace themselves in a comparison, yes? But then zoom out further, from 2000 until 2024, about the only other one worth a comparison for now is Vassell, picked the year after Cam. So he'd be in the top 30 to 35% of players picked in his slot, I could definitely see that being worth relaxing a few spots in the future for a team trying to win it all now, thus my "top 6-8 proection" suggestion. But you also need to weigh whether he would be the BEST use of the Cavs remaining resources, and go from there. Maybe he's the missing piece, maybe he's not.

[hugepatsfan]

Protecting a 2031 pick is tough to do in trades, IMO. The team giving you the player isn't get anything out of that pick for sooooooooo long. There has to be some potential upside for them to justify it. And you can't do the sliding protections since it has to convey in the available window. You put top 6-8 or lottery protections on that pick and there's a very real possibility BRK ends up giving up probably one of the more valuable pieces that will be moved at the deadline if he is dealt for a pick 7 years from now that has to convert to a 2nd rounder.

[axeman23]

Protecting a 2031 pick is tough to do in trades, IMO. The team giving you the player isn't get anything out of that pick for sooooooooo long. There has to be some potential upside for them to justify it. And you can't do the sliding protections since it has to convey in the available window. You put top 6-8 or lottery protections on that pick and there's a very real possibility BRK ends up giving up probably one of the more valuable pieces that will be moved at the deadline if he is dealt for a pick 7 years from now that has to convert to a 2nd rounder.

So you could protect for 1 year, then unprotected the next year? Or JUST protect (top 6ish), then if it falls in protected range, it becomes 2 2nds automatically? I agree that would be rough.

[DowJones]

I think it would have to be a 2031 unprotected 1st, LeVert, and maybe even Tyson. I wouldn’t do that as a Cavs fan.

[bgrep14]

Should just trade Okoro and Niang for Rui otherwise they can do Okoro, Niang, Thompson, Tyson, and 2 2nds for Johnson and Sharpe.

[mcfly1204]

Should just trade Okoro and Niang for Rui otherwise they can do Okoro, Niang, Thompson, Tyson, and 2 2nds for Johnson and Sharpe.

What hole does Rui fill for Cleveland?

[Scoot McGroot]

Protecting a 2031 pick is tough to do in trades, IMO. The team giving you the player isn't get anything out of that pick for sooooooooo long. There has to be some potential upside for them to justify it. And you can't do the sliding protections since it has to convey in the available window. You put top 6-8 or lottery protections on that pick and there's a very real possibility BRK ends up giving up probably one of the more valuable pieces that will be moved at the deadline if he is dealt for a pick 7 years from now that has to convert to a 2nd rounder.

So you could protect for 1 year, then unprotected the next year? Or JUST protect (top 6ish), then if it falls in protected range, it becomes 2 2nds automatically? I agree that would be rough.

Nope. You can only trade picks 7 drafts out, and 2031 is the latest out. So, if they trade that pick top something protected this year at the deadline, and the pick falls into that protected something in 2031, it can’t roll over any future years. The only option would be for Cleveland to send their 2031 2nd if the pick falls into that protected range.


I do think Cleveland should be able to top 4 protect. It’s a small enough range that the pick is likely to convey, but also Cam isn’t worth trading a top 4 pick. They might have to include a 2030 swap right as well, though (maybe again, top 4 protected) to make up for the protections, etc.