Cavs and Nets

[JJ_PR]

Cavs get: Cam Johnson
Nets get: Caris LeVert, Jaylon Tyson, '30 unprotected swap, '31 unprotected first and 4 2nds

Why?
Cavs go all in, finally get a big wing.
Nets get a decent return. A good prospect, an expiring, and two high variable firsts.

[bgrep14]

This is a pretty significant overpay for Johnson.

[Ell Curry]

I think for that much stuff, the Cavs would want Strus in the deal and not Levert, who they probably like better for this year and he expires, and things are getting pretty pricey over there.

If it's Strus in the deal and they let Levert go after this playoffs, the Cavs can just sneak under the 2nd apron next year, probably even with a little bump to keep one of Merrill or ideally Ty Jerome as 9th man (Okoro, Niang, Wade as frontcourt depth, they'd need to get lucky with a minimum guy at guard, but would have some minutes and ring potential to offer someone).

Maybe Strus can hit some shots and rebuild some value and be sent to a 3rd team for a 2026 expiring next deadline.

[TheNetsFan]

I think the Nets will prioritize a deal where the principle value can be realized in the next couple years rather than 7 years out.

[mcfly1204]

Way too much for Cam. Remove Tyson or one of the 1sts, along with a couple of seconds, and it's a lot more realistic.

[DowJones]

Cam Johnson is a great fit for Cleveland, but this trade is too much. I don’t think adding Cam makes Cleveland the favorite over Boston, and that’s the key factor in evaluating any deal involving unprotected picks and swaps extending into the 2030s. The Cavs already have a good team, with their oldest starter being Donovan Mitchell at 28. Instead of going all-in now, Cleveland should focus on paying off the Utah draft debt and keeping their assets intact for a potential larger move down the road, one that could extend the window for their current core.