It was kind of a curiosity to see the Cleveland Cavaliers involved in the four-team NBA blockbuster that sent James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets.
Their rebuild — with a burgeoning back-court in Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, along with 3-and-D rookie Isaac Okoro — seems to be going nicely. So while I do like acquiring young, cheap talent in Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince, it’s a little strange to send away a 2022 first-rounder (the Bucks’ pick, which won’t be high but it’s still a first!) and a 2024 second-rounder.
It’s also created kind of a weird roster situation, as Cavaliers vet Andre Drummond noted:
Lmaoooooo I’m weak 😂😂 https://t.co/ka6HHe6Ttv
— Andre Drummond (@AndreDrummond) January 13, 2021
That is pretty funny, but what that tweet is saying is also kind of true: the Cavs have a weird roster situation that is hopefully going to be sorted out soon.
There are now three big men in Drummond, JaVale McGee and Allen. Obviously, with Drummond heading toward free agency, just about everyone thinks Cleveland will deal him ahead of the trade deadline so they get something back assuming he bolts in the offseason.
The thing with Allen, however, is the fact that he’s entering restricted free agency, and will FOR SURE make a lot more than the $3.9 million he’s earning right now. Would a team try to sign him to an offer sheet for a lot of money and pry him away? I would assume the Cavs knew this going into the trade and aren’t worried about retaining him, even at a high price.
Prince joins a rotation of small forwards with Okoro and Cedi Osman, and his contract (just over $15 million next season) expires in 2022. Does that mean the Cavs acquired him to trade him next season? Do they hope to catch glimpses of the player he was in Atlanta after the Hawks took him 12th overall in 2016?
It’s not bad! It’s just a curiosity. I’m now very intrigued where the Cavs go from here. A Sexton, Garland, Okoro, Allen core is a solid one, and maybe there’s a contender out there who wants Drummond and is willing to pay a decent price for him.
It may look messy right now, but things are starting to fall into place for this franchise.
[jwplayer nkt6MIDc-q2aasYxh]