Cavaliers are interested in Caris Levert
Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2021 2:12 pm
https://hoopshype.com/2021/12/08/multiple-people-in-cavaliers-organization-fans-of-caris-levert/
There isn't really much to this story yet. All we really know is that Cleveland has members of their front office who are fans of Levert, and that they want him to be part of their team. Indiana apparently wants to go into full on rebuild mode, and that's understandable given their situation (even if they do have some really good talent). Although Sabonis and Turner as well as a few others are also on the table, from Cleveland's perspective, wanting Levert makes a lot of sense. Mobley/Allen is already looking like a ridiculously unfair PF/C duo so why would you bother messing around with that?
With that said, let's just take this trade scenario at face value for a minute and think about the circumstances that are going on right now in regards to Cleveland. First and foremost, none of this is a guarantee. Someone else could just as easily beat Cleveland to the punch. But one of the things we can't deny in regards to Altman and Cleveland is their ability to pull magnificent trades seemingly out of their ass. After all, they were able to get Ricky Rubio by giving up Prince and his contract. They were able to get Andre Drummond for Brandon Knight and some other guy whose name I can't remember for the life of me. I was a big fan of the trade that got us Lauri while giving up Nance Jr (although I am still not a fan of how Lauri has been used, but that's more of a coaching thing). But of course the biggest rabbit they pulled out of the hat was getting Jarrett Allen, while all they really had to give up on their end was Exum. I can't deny that this franchise tends to make boneheaded decisions. But as of late, they've been able to get the job done in regards to trades. There isn't one I can think of recently where they gave up way too much while receiving so little in return.
So I have no doubt in my mind that if they are able to pull off a trade for Caris Levert, then they are not only legitimate contenders within the East, but they have opened the door for future potential title opportunities and have given the Cavaliers their best team since the LeBron James days. You extend Rubio and Garland at that point, and you are set.
Now the question remains: Who do you give up in that trade?
Personally, I think it makes all the sense in the world for Indiana to ask for Collin Sexton. After all, he's out for the season and thus, he doesn't interfere with Daunte's ability to develop as a player, something Sexton would just hinder. And they in no way have to extend him, so they can just let him walk and choose his own path the following season.
Some people are going to suggest throwing Okoro into that deal, but I personally do not agree with this. He still brings the defense that Cleveland needs at the wing position to make them as good as they have been at that end, and right now, they need all the wing depth that they can get. You don't want to be back to square one. The thing is however, Cedi Osman is also showcasing his value for Cleveland this year and making his case as a guy you don't want to get rid of. So at that point, deciding who you trade to get Levert becomes tricky. A Sexton for Levert swap may not be enough. So if you're Cleveland and you manage to find a way to secure the services of Levert, while being able to keep Okoro and Osman, on top of still having Garland, Mobley, Allen, Rubio and Lauri, I simply can't imagine just how good this Cavaliers team would be.
So, if you're Cleveland, who do you give up?
There isn't really much to this story yet. All we really know is that Cleveland has members of their front office who are fans of Levert, and that they want him to be part of their team. Indiana apparently wants to go into full on rebuild mode, and that's understandable given their situation (even if they do have some really good talent). Although Sabonis and Turner as well as a few others are also on the table, from Cleveland's perspective, wanting Levert makes a lot of sense. Mobley/Allen is already looking like a ridiculously unfair PF/C duo so why would you bother messing around with that?
With that said, let's just take this trade scenario at face value for a minute and think about the circumstances that are going on right now in regards to Cleveland. First and foremost, none of this is a guarantee. Someone else could just as easily beat Cleveland to the punch. But one of the things we can't deny in regards to Altman and Cleveland is their ability to pull magnificent trades seemingly out of their ass. After all, they were able to get Ricky Rubio by giving up Prince and his contract. They were able to get Andre Drummond for Brandon Knight and some other guy whose name I can't remember for the life of me. I was a big fan of the trade that got us Lauri while giving up Nance Jr (although I am still not a fan of how Lauri has been used, but that's more of a coaching thing). But of course the biggest rabbit they pulled out of the hat was getting Jarrett Allen, while all they really had to give up on their end was Exum. I can't deny that this franchise tends to make boneheaded decisions. But as of late, they've been able to get the job done in regards to trades. There isn't one I can think of recently where they gave up way too much while receiving so little in return.
So I have no doubt in my mind that if they are able to pull off a trade for Caris Levert, then they are not only legitimate contenders within the East, but they have opened the door for future potential title opportunities and have given the Cavaliers their best team since the LeBron James days. You extend Rubio and Garland at that point, and you are set.
Now the question remains: Who do you give up in that trade?
Personally, I think it makes all the sense in the world for Indiana to ask for Collin Sexton. After all, he's out for the season and thus, he doesn't interfere with Daunte's ability to develop as a player, something Sexton would just hinder. And they in no way have to extend him, so they can just let him walk and choose his own path the following season.
Some people are going to suggest throwing Okoro into that deal, but I personally do not agree with this. He still brings the defense that Cleveland needs at the wing position to make them as good as they have been at that end, and right now, they need all the wing depth that they can get. You don't want to be back to square one. The thing is however, Cedi Osman is also showcasing his value for Cleveland this year and making his case as a guy you don't want to get rid of. So at that point, deciding who you trade to get Levert becomes tricky. A Sexton for Levert swap may not be enough. So if you're Cleveland and you manage to find a way to secure the services of Levert, while being able to keep Okoro and Osman, on top of still having Garland, Mobley, Allen, Rubio and Lauri, I simply can't imagine just how good this Cavaliers team would be.
So, if you're Cleveland, who do you give up?