Retooling The Cleveland Cavaliers: Keep Donovan Mitchell, Trade Darius Garland And Jarrett Allen

Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Trae Young

Atlanta Hawks receive: Darius Garland, Caris LeVert, 2031 first-round pick

Trae Young, the star point guard for the Atlanta Hawks, is known for his high-scoring and playmaking abilities. Averaging 25.7 points and 10.8 assists per game throughout his career, Young has been a central figure for the Hawks. Despite his offensive prowess, his tenure in Atlanta has been marked by mixed team success and ongoing trade rumors. Recently, Young has expressed a desire to win and hinted at being open to a change of scenery if the Hawks don't align with his championship aspirations.

Darius Garland, an emerging talent for the Cleveland Cavaliers, has shown significant growth, becoming an All-Star guard. Garland's playmaking and scoring have been pivotal for the Cavs, but the team is exploring options to find a better fit alongside Donovan Mitchell. Garland's trade value is high, making him a prime candidate for a significant trade like this one.

In Cleveland, Trae Young would pair with Donovan Mitchell to create one of the league's most dynamic backcourts. Young's ability to score and distribute the ball would complement Mitchell's scoring prowess. However, concerns about Young's defensive liabilities would need to be addressed by the Cavs' coaching staff. The team would likely need to bolster its defensive schemes to cover for Young's weaknesses.

For the Hawks, trading Trae Young would mark a significant shift. They have struggled to find consistent success despite Young's individual brilliance. This trade would provide them with a young, talented point guard in Garland, a versatile player in LeVert, and a future first-round pick, allowing them to rebuild and potentially find a better team balance around Dejounte Murray, Jalen Johnson, and their upcoming No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

The Cavaliers are looking to make a deep playoff run and need to retool their roster to better fit around Mitchell. Acquiring Trae Young would signify a major shakeup, aiming to create an elite offensive unit. This move aligns with their strategy to build a competitive team that can convince Mitchell to stay long-term.

Swapping Jarrett Allen For An Offensive Center

Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Myles Turner

Indiana Pacers receive: Jarrett Allen

Jarrett Allen, the 25-year-old center for the Cleveland Cavaliers, has established himself as a defensive stalwart and efficient scorer. During the season, Allen averaged 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 64.4 percent from the field. Despite his solid performance, the Cavaliers fell short in the playoffs, highlighting the need for a more offensively versatile center.

Myles Turner, the Indiana Pacers' center, offers a unique combination of shot-blocking and three-point shooting. Turner averaged 17.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game in the 2023-24 season. His ability to stretch the floor with his shooting makes him an attractive target for teams looking to enhance their offensive capabilities while maintaining strong defensive presence.

Incorporating Myles Turner into the Cleveland Cavaliers' lineup could significantly improve their spacing and offensive flexibility. Turner's three-point shooting would complement the Cavaliers' perimeter players, such as Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland (if he remains with the team), by drawing defenders out of the paint. This would create more driving lanes and opportunities for pick-and-pop plays, enhancing the overall offensive strategy.

Defensively, Turner would continue to provide strong rim protection, maintaining the Cavaliers' defensive integrity. His ability to block shots and alter attempts at the rim would make him a valuable asset alongside Evan Mobley, who could shift to his more natural power forward position, thereby optimizing the team’s frontcourt balance.

For the Pacers, acquiring Jarrett Allen would solidify their interior defense and rebounding. Allen’s presence in the paint would provide a reliable anchor for the team’s defense. His efficient scoring around the rim would also benefit the Pacers' offensive system, especially with guards who can penetrate and create opportunities inside. This trade could signal a shift toward building a more defensively-oriented team while maintaining offensive efficiency through their backcourt.

The Cavaliers are aiming to build a roster capable of deeper playoff runs. Despite a solid regular season, their early playoff exit underscored the need for more offensive firepower. Trading for Myles Turner aligns with their goal of creating a more dynamic and versatile team. Turner’s offensive skills, combined with his defensive capabilities, would address some of the critical weaknesses exposed in the playoffs.

Key Free Agency In The Offseason

With the Cleveland Cavaliers considering major trades involving Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, the team is poised to reshape its roster dramatically. To complement these potential moves, the Cavaliers will need to utilize free agency to address gaps and enhance their overall competitiveness. The key areas of focus include adding veteran leadership, improving perimeter shooting, and bolstering bench depth.

Russell Westbrook, despite being past his prime, remains a highly productive player. In the 2024 season with the LA Clippers, Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. His aggressive playstyle and leadership can energize the Cavaliers, particularly their second unit. Westbrook’s ability to create plays and drive to the basket would be valuable, though his shooting efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc, remains a concern with a three-point percentage of just 27.3%. His veteran presence could help stabilize the team during critical stretches, providing much-needed experience and intensity.

Buddy Hield is one of the premier shooters in the league, making him an ideal fit for the Cavaliers' need for perimeter shooting. In the 2024 season, Hield averaged 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 43.6% from the field and an impressive 38.6% from three-point range. His ability to consistently knock down shots from deep would create more space for Donovan Mitchell and other slashers on the team, helping to enhance the Cavaliers' offensive efficiency and balance.

Taurean Prince provides solid production off the bench as a versatile forward capable of playing both small and power forward positions. During the 2024 season, Prince averaged 8.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and a three-point percentage of 39.6%. His ability to stretch the floor and defend multiple positions would provide depth and flexibility to the Cavaliers’ roster. Prince’s contributions would be valuable in various lineups and situations, offering reliable scoring and defensive capabilities from the bench.

A Brand New Look For The Cavaliers

Starting Lineup: Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Myles Turner

Bench: Russell Westbrook, Buddy Hield, Georges Niang, Taurean Prince, Dean Wade, Craig Porter, Sam Merrill

As the Cleveland Cavaliers retool their roster, the new starting lineup promises an exciting blend of talent and versatility. Trae Young, with 25.7 points and 10.8 assists per game, will lead the offense alongside Donovan Mitchell, who averaged 26.6 points and 6.1 assists. Max Strus adds valuable floor-spacing with his 12.2 points per game and 35.1% shooting from beyond the arc.

In the frontcourt, Evan Mobley (15.7 points, 9.4 rebounds) and Myles Turner (17.1 points, 6.9 rebounds) combine defensive prowess and scoring ability, creating a formidable interior presence for tougher playoff matchups that require bigger defensive support and clutch stops when it matters the most.

The bench depth is significantly bolstered with the additions of Russell Westbrook, Buddy Hield, Georges Niang, and Taurean Prince. Westbrook brings veteran leadership and playmaking, having averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. Hield, an elite shooter, contributes 12.1 points per game with a 38.6% three-point shooting accuracy, while Niang and Prince add versatility and reliable scoring from the bench.

This new look for the Cavaliers aims to maximize their strengths and address previous weaknesses, positioning them as strong contenders in the Eastern Conference. With a mix of star power and depth, the revamped roster is well-equipped for a deeper playoff run in the upcoming season.

This Cavaliers Team Is Poised For Championship Contention

The Cleveland Cavaliers have retooled their roster, making them serious contenders in the Eastern Conference. The starting lineup of Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, and Myles Turner combines offensive firepower with defensive strength. Young’s elite playmaking and Mitchell’s dynamic scoring create a formidable backcourt, while Mobley and Turner offer shot-blocking and rebounding prowess. Strus adds crucial three-point shooting to enhance the team’s spacing.

The bench is deeper and more versatile, featuring veterans like Russell Westbrook and Buddy Hield. Westbrook provides leadership and playmaking, while Hield brings consistent scoring from beyond the arc. Georges Niang and Taurean Prince add reliable scoring and defensive capabilities, essential for sustained performance throughout the season and playoffs.

In the context of the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers must compete with powerhouses like the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and the Bucks, anchored by Giannis Antetokounmpo, are formidable opponents. The Cavaliers’ new roster addresses past shortcomings, particularly in shooting and bench depth, positioning them to challenge these top teams.

With their enhanced lineup, the Cavaliers have the potential to reach the Conference Finals and compete for an NBA Championship. This revamped team is ready to take on the best in the league and bring championship glory back to Cleveland.