Bos/Cle/Bkn: Jrue, Garland, #8

[OutsidetheNBA]

Bos Out: Jrue
Bos In: Top 55 Protected 2nd

Cle Out: Garland, Okoro
Cle In: Jrue, #8, NYK '27 1st?

Bkn Out: #8, Top 55 2nd, NYK '27 1st?
Bkn In: Garland, Okoro

Why for Boston: Cut $32m salary without sending out additional assets.

Why For Cleveland: Jrue is a perfect fit in Cleveland for a 3-year run. He provides point of attack defense and championship experience. Cleveland brings back #8 that they can either use to draft a point guard of the future (Fears?) or package with Strus/Hunter/Allen to add another piece. In any case, the trade cuts $18m in salary (before paying #8) that can be used to resign Jerome/Merrill. Does Cleveland need more? If so, Bkn can add NYK's '27 1st.

Why for Bkn: Garland is very likely better than any player the Nets can find at #8. A 25-year-old all-star PG on a decent contract is a great piece for Brooklyn's rebuild.

[Tim Lehrbach]

I could be reading their situation entirely wrong, but I don't think Cleveland will consider a deal for Garland, the primary return of which is a draft pick. Sure, Jrue can still help them, but it's clear from the addition of the #8 pick (and more) that you agree they are not going to merely swap Garland for Jrue, so you've paid them for that swap with a lottery pick. Also, once you add the salary of that #8 pick, who is unlikely to contribute to their playoff rotation anytime soon, they aren't saving enough to justify this.

I kinda like the core of the trade, though.

1. Jrue to mystery team.
2. Mystery team's contracts to Brooklyn.
3. ???
4. Profit!

Jokes aside, there might be a fit somewhere in the league for this premise.

[OutsidetheNBA]

I could be reading their situation entirely wrong, but I don't think Cleveland will consider a deal for Garland, the primary return of which is a draft pick. Sure, Jrue can still help them, but it's clear from the addition of the #8 pick (and more) that you agree they are not going to merely swap Garland for Jrue, so you've paid them for that swap with a lottery pick. Also, once you add the salary of that #8 pick, who is unlikely to contribute to their playoff rotation anytime soon, they aren't saving enough to justify this.

I kinda like the core of the trade, though.

1. Jrue to mystery team.
2. Mystery team's contracts to Brooklyn.
3. ???
4. Profit!

Jokes aside, there might be a fit somewhere in the league for this premise.

I see #8 as the secondary return here -- something to balance the fact that, in a vacuum, Jrue has 2-3 good years left and is overpaid, while Garland is a very good young PG on a good contract.

In the very specific context of Cleveland, I think Jrue is an upgrade over Garland next to Mitchell. Cleveland needs point of attack defense and a steady veteran to run the offense. Jrue does both of those things much, much better than Garland. In a 7-game series against Indiana or New York, I think Cleveland is a better team with Jrue than Garland given the rest of the team around the PG spot.

[Tim Lehrbach]

I could be reading their situation entirely wrong, but I don't think Cleveland will consider a deal for Garland, the primary return of which is a draft pick. Sure, Jrue can still help them, but it's clear from the addition of the #8 pick (and more) that you agree they are not going to merely swap Garland for Jrue, so you've paid them for that swap with a lottery pick. Also, once you add the salary of that #8 pick, who is unlikely to contribute to their playoff rotation anytime soon, they aren't saving enough to justify this.

I kinda like the core of the trade, though.

1. Jrue to mystery team.
2. Mystery team's contracts to Brooklyn.
3. ???
4. Profit!

Jokes aside, there might be a fit somewhere in the league for this premise.

I see #8 as the secondary return here -- something to balance the fact that, in a vacuum, Jrue has 2-3 good years left and is overpaid, while Garland is a very good young PG on a good contract.

In the very specific context of Cleveland, I think Jrue is an upgrade over Garland next to Mitchell. Cleveland needs point of attack defense and a steady veteran to run the offense. Jrue does both of those things much, much better than Garland. In a 7-game series against Indiana or New York, I think Cleveland is a better team with Jrue than Garland given the rest of the team around the PG spot.

All good thoughts. I guess I would add to what I said before that this places a lot of trust in Holiday's level of play, especially defensively, holding up, and it places no importance on replacing Okoro, who played all 9 playoff games, albeit in a bit role. But I would seek the counsel of Cleveland fans/media on this, too. What's the read on moving Garland at all and what the team prioritizes in a potential return?

[GatherStepGuru]

I feel like BKN would have to offer more value to get Garland. Or other teams could make comparable or more competitive offers.

In comparison, I think if WAS could get Garland for 6, 40, and a future 1st, and even a role player like Saddiq Bey, they’d jump at the chance.

[djFan71]

Seems pretty clever if BKN is indeed looking to add win-now people. Using picks and space to add value is smart.
Knee jerk was "BOS needs MOAR!!!", but clearing all of Jrue for nothing is enough.

No idea on the CLE side - I like the roster fit quite a bit, but not sure on the rest for them $/etc.

[Netaman]

dont think nets have much interest in this. dont think they are giving up their first lotto pick in over a decade and eating into $50m of cap space for garland right as he's going under the knife. for a different combo of picks maybe but not #8.

[Tim Lehrbach]

dont think nets have much interest in this. dont think they are giving up their first lotto pick in over a decade and eating into $50m of cap space for garland right as he's going under the knife. for a different combo of picks maybe but not #8.

You may know the pick situation better than I do, but I'd be less wedded to #8 than to future picks. But point taken about the huge investment the represents against the cap, too.

[Netaman]

dont think nets have much interest in this. dont think they are giving up their first lotto pick in over a decade and eating into $50m of cap space for garland right as he's going under the knife. for a different combo of picks maybe but not #8.

You may know the pick situation better than I do, but I'd be less wedded to #8 than to future picks. But point taken about the huge investment the represents against the cap, too.

I think there are a handful of guys they really like in this draft and all the rumors are of them trying to get more picks or move up higher by leveraging their vets/cap space in trades out, not trades bringing vets in. Kneupel, Fears, Essengue, Jakuconias, Bryant, Maluach, Queen, Sorber, Traore etc. I'd feel more comfortable betting they manipulate the draft to move up and get 2 guys from that #5-15 group than 0 by trading out of it.

If the price on Garland was Fox/SAS-ish, mostly cap savings and a few picks, maybe CamJ back to CLE if they want him, I could see the Nets buying low but not at the expense of any meaningful draft assets of which the 8th pick seems likely to be.

[Walmart]

With the new salary cap rules I don't know why Cleveland would touch that contract with a ten foot pole and only get that back as a return for Garland.

[psman2]

Boston has to pay assets to clear Jrue's whole deal like this.

[Netaman]

With the new salary cap rules I don't know why Cleveland would touch that contract with a ten foot pole and only get that back as a return for Garland.

agreed, 3 years of that Jrue contract is tough and going to likely cost at least 1 unprotected FRP to move on its' own.

I expect that Cleveland fans will want to turn this down because they'd be selling Garland low, but this is the type of deal I expect it would take for the Nets to be willing to take on enough salary to get both CLE/BOS out of the 2nd apron. Tried to make this close to the Fox return.

[jbk1234]

With the new salary cap rules I don't know why Cleveland would touch that contract with a ten foot pole and only get that back as a return for Garland.

agreed, 3 years of that Jrue contract is tough and going to likely cost at least 1 unprotected FRP to move on its' own.

I expect that Cleveland fans will want to turn this down because they'd be selling Garland low, but this is the type of deal I expect it would take for the Nets to be willing to take on enough salary to get both CLE/BOS out of the 2nd apron. Tried to make this close to the Fox return.

It's not the Cleveland fans you have to worry about, it's the Cavs FO. Honestly, I'd be concerned that there was something the Cavs FO knew that the rest of the league didn't if they accepted aome of these trades.

[ecuhus1981]

Nets decline easily.

You want our capspace as your 3rd team, you'll have to pay top dollar. 10 other teams would pay more to duck the luxury tax, Brooklyn are the ones absorbing salary, taking on an injured, expensive player AND adding the sweetener that brings Cleveland to the table.

[jbk1234]

Nets decline easily.

You want our capspace as your 3rd team, you'll have to pay top dollar. 10 other teams would pay more to duck the luxury tax, Brooklyn are the ones absorbing salary, taking on an injured, expensive player AND adding the sweetener that brings Cleveland to the table.

The biggest problem with bringing the Nets to the table as the third team in a Garland trade is that the Nets can cut the other team out and take Garland themselves.

[Netaman]

It's not the Cleveland fans you have to worry about, it's the Cavs FO. Honestly, I'd be concerned that there was something the Cavs FO knew that the rest of the league didn't if they accepted aome of these trades.

Hey trading Garland wasn’t my idea and I said I doubt CLE does what is likely the only type (fox) of deal the nets would be interested in.

But 2nd apron teams trying to get out are going to have to pay some price if they want to get out. I think broadly the fans of those teams are thinking it’s going to be a lot easier to offload salary than it will end up being.


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[Michaellam1987]

If I am BKN, I would tank as hard as possible for the coming season, aiming to get the best talent in the FY26 draft, then use the huge cap space to sign potential mega FAs in the FY26 summer. BKN has to become competitive in the FY26/27 season, as they own a pick swap with HOU for the FY27 draft.

On the other hand, BKN, as being the only team with significant cap space in this summer, should treasure these valuable opportunities to get assets as much as possible, by renting out the cap space.

IMO, use the cap space to obtain Garland, while giving out draft assets may not the best way moving forward

[BK_2020]

If I am BKN, I would tank as hard as possible for the coming season, aiming to get the best talent in the FY26 draft, then use the huge cap space to sign potential mega FAs in the FY26 summer. BKN has to become competitive in the FY26/27 season, as they own a pick swap with HOU for the FY27 draft.

On the other hand, BKN, as being the only team with significant cap space in this summer, should treasure these valuable opportunities to get assets as much as possible, by renting out the cap space.

IMO, use the cap space to obtain Garland, while giving out draft assets may not the best way moving forward

The only mega FA in 2026 is Luka and JJJ who are certain to extend with their teams. Unless the Nets' plan is to load up on guys like Harden, Kyrie, and CJ McCollum. Depending on who's available at #8, this trade might not be a bad idea for them.
It's a bad idea for Cleveland though, who should be aiming to get rid of Mitchell instead.

[Tim Lehrbach]

If I am BKN, I would tank as hard as possible for the coming season, aiming to get the best talent in the FY26 draft, then use the huge cap space to sign potential mega FAs in the FY26 summer. BKN has to become competitive in the FY26/27 season, as they own a pick swap with HOU for the FY27 draft.

On the other hand, BKN, as being the only team with significant cap space in this summer, should treasure these valuable opportunities to get assets as much as possible, by renting out the cap space.

IMO, use the cap space to obtain Garland, while giving out draft assets may not the best way moving forward

The only mega FA in 2026 is Luka and JJJ who are certain to extend with their teams. Unless the Nets' plan is to load up on guys like Harden, Kyrie, and CJ McCollum. Depending on who's available at #8, this trade might not be a bad idea for them.
It's a bad idea for Cleveland though, who should be aiming to get rid of Mitchell instead.

Maybe you didn't intend it, but this sounds like a shot at Mitchell. The Cavs do not need to "rid" themselves of Garland or Mitchell. If they are forced to choose one to elude cap hell, so be it, but they'll find an attractive deal to reduce payroll and still return useful players.

[gflem]

If I am BKN, I would tank as hard as possible for the coming season, aiming to get the best talent in the FY26 draft, then use the huge cap space to sign potential mega FAs in the FY26 summer. BKN has to become competitive in the FY26/27 season, as they own a pick swap with HOU for the FY27 draft.

On the other hand, BKN, as being the only team with significant cap space in this summer, should treasure these valuable opportunities to get assets as much as possible, by renting out the cap space.

IMO, use the cap space to obtain Garland, while giving out draft assets may not the best way moving forward

The only mega FA in 2026 is Luka and JJJ who are certain to extend with their teams. Unless the Nets' plan is to load up on guys like Harden, Kyrie, and CJ McCollum. Depending on who's available at #8, this trade might not be a bad idea for them.
It's a bad idea for Cleveland though, who should be aiming to get rid of Mitchell instead.

Maybe you didn't intend it, but this sounds like a shot at Mitchell. The Cavs do not need to "rid" themselves of Garland or Mitchell. If they are forced to choose one to elude cap hell, so be it, but they'll find an attractive deal to reduce payroll and still return useful players.

I'm in the minority on the Cavs board, but I wanted to move Garland last season. I think Jrue, #8, and another first is close to fair value. The downside is that it makes Mitchell the primary ball handler though, and the Jrue contract isn't great. I think Boston would have to add but to me the framework isn't far off.