CLE/NOP/CHA
Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 10:01 pm
**Okoro was originally in this trade instead of Strus. unfortunately doesn't work that way per CBA rules**
Cleveland trades Darius Garland, Max Strus*
Cleveland receives #7, Herb Jones, CJ McCollum, Nick Smith Jr
The Cavaliers get a little more sustainable salary-wise but remain extremely good, loading up on cost controlled pieces. a perimeter defense, a mid-lotto pick, and a young bench microwave shooter. CJ McCollum can help them with scoring this season, and then expires after the season, providing necessary tax relief in 2026.
New Orleans trades, #7, Herb Jones, CJ McCollum
New Orleans receives, #4, Josh Green, Max Strus*, Grant Williams, 2026 1st (worst out of ORL/MEM/PHX/WAS)
This can be seen as a two parter. Herb+7 for one contract+4 and McCollum for the other two-year contracts and a 2026 1st. If all 4 teams involved were to stay exactly in same standings, the pick would be #18 in 2026. Feels like a solid rebuilding package for the Pels to think about starting all the way over. All three contracts coming back expire in the summer of 2027, and all three of them fit underneath the MLE, which could be useful for future trades.
Charlotte trades #4, Nick Smith Jr, Josh Green, Grant Williams, 2026 1st (worst out of ORL/MEM/PHX/WAS)
Charlotte receives Darius Garland
The Hornets add a much needed playmaker. It's painfully apparent that LaMelo can't handle prime Harden level usage, and that nobody else on the current roster is able to pick up the slack. Garland is equal parts a playmaker and scorer, that would allow LaMelo to play some of his minutes off the ball, and of course Garland would be able to pick up the slack when LaMelo misses time and play like a star himself. Pushing Miller to tertiary ball-handling duties serves him well at this point in time as well. This is well worth the resources Charlotte gives up.
Cleveland trades Darius Garland, Max Strus*
Cleveland receives #7, Herb Jones, CJ McCollum, Nick Smith Jr
The Cavaliers get a little more sustainable salary-wise but remain extremely good, loading up on cost controlled pieces. a perimeter defense, a mid-lotto pick, and a young bench microwave shooter. CJ McCollum can help them with scoring this season, and then expires after the season, providing necessary tax relief in 2026.
New Orleans trades, #7, Herb Jones, CJ McCollum
New Orleans receives, #4, Josh Green, Max Strus*, Grant Williams, 2026 1st (worst out of ORL/MEM/PHX/WAS)
This can be seen as a two parter. Herb+7 for one contract+4 and McCollum for the other two-year contracts and a 2026 1st. If all 4 teams involved were to stay exactly in same standings, the pick would be #18 in 2026. Feels like a solid rebuilding package for the Pels to think about starting all the way over. All three contracts coming back expire in the summer of 2027, and all three of them fit underneath the MLE, which could be useful for future trades.
Charlotte trades #4, Nick Smith Jr, Josh Green, Grant Williams, 2026 1st (worst out of ORL/MEM/PHX/WAS)
Charlotte receives Darius Garland
The Hornets add a much needed playmaker. It's painfully apparent that LaMelo can't handle prime Harden level usage, and that nobody else on the current roster is able to pick up the slack. Garland is equal parts a playmaker and scorer, that would allow LaMelo to play some of his minutes off the ball, and of course Garland would be able to pick up the slack when LaMelo misses time and play like a star himself. Pushing Miller to tertiary ball-handling duties serves him well at this point in time as well. This is well worth the resources Charlotte gives up.
