The Cleveland Cavaliers are supposed to get better this year after finishing the 2022-2023 season with a home-court advantage.
However, the squad was struck this early by injury bugs with Evan Mobley out for the season and Donovan Mitchell in and out of the lineup.
The management insisted that they were in no hurry to break up their core.
"The Cavaliers, though, are not prepared to consider that exit strategy," Cleveland officials have maintained a commitment to this core of four All-Star talents, according to league sources, even with all the incessant chatter among rival executives that Mitchell will inevitably bolt when he can reach the unrestricted market in 2025."
That does not change the fact that they are simply not contenders this season. But there are still at least three months to go and they can still improve in the mid-season trade period.
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They can keep the core but they must make moves to improve the squad.
Here are the Top 3 trade scenarios the Cleveland Cavaliers can consider:
1. Big man - Christian Wood
Cavs need to find a reliable reliever in its frontcourt. Jarett Allen's form dipped a bit this season while the other half of the Twin Tower, Mobley, could not be there.
One player they can target is Christian Wood of the Los Angeles Lakers. The 6'8 center/forward looked poised to become a key roster guy after career seasons with the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks but things took a different route when he signed with the Purple and Gold.
Nevertheless, Wood always got the offensive chops. He can put the basketball in the ring. He was a great pick-and-roll partner by Luka Doncic in Dallas and partnering with Mitchell should not be a problem.
His skills are still there but the stock is falling. This is the perfect time for Cavs general manager Mike Gansey to sweep in and get Wood. They will probably just need a few draft picks to get him.
2. 3 and D guy - Dorian Finney-Smith
Brooklyn Nets' small forward Dorian Finney-Smith can be the last piece to complete a formidable starting five for the Cavs. His wing defense will be a perfect match for the rim protection being provided by Allen and Mobley.
Darius Garland has someone to target beyond the arc aside from Mitchell with Finney-Smith in tow. The Nets guard currently averages above 40 percent from the three-point line on six shot attempts per game.
On the other end of the court, the 30-year-old can be the Cavs' main defender against the best guards of opposing teams. If they want to far in the postseason, they need someone to contain the likes of Jayson Tatum, Damian Lillard, or Tyrese Maxey.
3. Small forward - OG Anunoby
The Toronto Raptors player will be a huge upgrade for Isaac Okoro as he can be both a defender and a three-point sniper.
Anunoby, who led the league last season in steals with 1.9 per game, can defend multiple positions. He excels playing alongside a big man (Pascal Siakam). With the Cavs, he will still be able to do what he does best in defense and offense around Allen.
The problem with pursuing the British small forward though is that the Raptors will ask for a steeper price.
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