CLE/NOP/CHA

[HornetJail]

**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.

[Godaddycurse]

Cleveland cant aggregate

[HornetJail]

Cleveland cant aggregate

ugh damn CJ McCollum's own rules keeping him from joining a contender

This would require Strus going out instead of Okoro. Would Cleveland do this?
Strus for Herb
Garland for CJ, NSJ
would work salary wise as two separate moves

Editing the first post

[tidho]

Cleveland cant aggregate

ugh damn CJ McCollum's own rules keeping him from joining a contender

This would require Strus going out instead of Okoro. Would Cleveland do this?
Strus for Herb
Garland for CJ, NSJ
would work salary wise as two separate moves

Editing the first post

I think it would work as separate moves.

Feels light given the time machine CLE is eating going from Garland to CJM. Seems like CLE would need to be pretty high on Nick Smith Jr., who interestingly enough has a pretty Garland-like build.

I don't think this is it for CLE but I like the approach of CJM plus a young talent as the potential answer for CLE.

[One_and_Done]

Cleveland also wouldn't trade Garland.

[tidho]

Cleveland also wouldn't trade Garland.

three playoffs failures in a row, and a Mitchell/Garland combo that many knew wouldn't work in the playoffs from the moment it was put together...

maybe they won't. we'll see.

[Mrakar]

Im not sure if moving up from 4 to 7 is an upgrade in this years draft. Top 3 is set and i dont think there are any players that are sure top 6 picks outside of edgecombe who is bad fit next to zion anyway.

[DowJones]

Cleveland says no. Garland for Jones/#7 is interesting depending on what we could get for #7, but losing Strus is a bridge too far for a team that wants to win a NBA title next season. Could Brooklyn be roped in somehow for Cam Johnson? I am thinking Cam Johnson and Herb Jones for Garland and Okoro could work for the Cavs with #7 going to Brooklyn and the Nets eating some extra money with their cap space.

Mitchell
Strus
Cam Johnson
Mobley
Allen

Bench: Jerome, Jones, Wade, Tyson, Porter

That is interesting. Cleveland becomes much bigger and more versatile, but with Garland gone, Mobley would have to become more of a ballhandler/playmaker on the perimeter.

[toooskies]

Cleveland also wouldn't trade Garland.

three playoffs failures in a row, and a Mitchell/Garland combo that many knew wouldn't work in the playoffs from the moment it was put together...

maybe they won't. we'll see.

Mitchell isn’t functionally small. He has a long wingspan, a solid build, and plenty of leaping ability.

All we’ve learned is that a team that collectively shoots 29% from three will lose. We might’ve learned before everyone besides Milwaukee that Indiana is really, really good and not that the Cavs are objectively doomed.

[jbk1234]

Cleveland also wouldn't trade Garland.

three playoffs failures in a row, and a Mitchell/Garland combo that many knew wouldn't work in the playoffs from the moment it was put together...

maybe they won't. we'll see.

The problem is that Ty was absolutely awful in the Pacers series and there are serious questions as to whether he can be a viable hedge against a Garland, or Mitchell, injury going forward. You can complain about the Garland/Mitchell pairing, but we lost against the defending champs last season when Mitchell got injured. Garland was obviously too injured to be on the court this season. Once again, we lost to the team who appears to be headed to the Finals.

Altman isn't going to make a trade because *fans mad* and not worry about whether the team is better, or worse, afterwards. He may give a little on value, but I'm seeing very little thought expended on how the post trade Cavs are actually better on this board.

[Jon1798]

Hard pass for NO. Weird concept as well when NO is the one that needs Garland and trades the pieces for him. Though I still don’t see the benefit of trading Herb, CJ and #7 for Garland and Struss. Probably close value wise though.

[One_and_Done]

Cleveland also wouldn't trade Garland.

three playoffs failures in a row, and a Mitchell/Garland combo that many knew wouldn't work in the playoffs from the moment it was put together...

maybe they won't. we'll see.

So trade Allen?

Also they had a new coach and scheme this year, and weren't 100% in the playoffs (Garland being hurt was particularly devastating). They blew some leads, and the team who beat them looks like they're going to the finals. Suddenly a loss in the 2nd round doesn't look so bad.