Making Room for the Afro

A massive 4-team blockbuster deal is dominating the NBA world right now, and it's shockwaves restructure the whole hierarchy of the league as we know it. James Harden is obviously drawing the vast majority of the attention from the deal, as he should. Houston's superstar has been one of the very best players in the NBA, ever since OKC dealt him for what now looks like pennies on the dollar. However, there was more to this deal than just the Rockets and Nets.

This was a rare 4-team trade where every team involved made a splash. For the Cavs, that splash was the following...

Cavs get:

• Jarrett Allen
• Taurean Prince

Rockets get:

• Dante Exum
• 2022 1st Rd Pick (Bucks, Unprotected)
• 2024 2nd Rd Pick (Worst of Cavs/Knicks/Jazz)

Jarrett Allen, just 22 years old, is obviously the highlight of Cleveland's side of things. Koby Altman managed to add another blue-chip youngster to a team whose future is beginning to look increasingly brighter as time goes on. Allen is already regarded as one of the best rim-protectors in the game, one of the most fearless shot-blockers out there.

The Texas-product has a high motor, that keeps him engaged and energized when on the floor. He's ever been one to force things, just doing what the team needs him to do and doing it well. Allen projects to be a big that will sustain Cleveland's newfound defensive identity, and a guy who will allow Cleveland's designated scorers in the backcourt to do what they do best without disrupting the flow of the offense.

However, there's an obvious problem here. The Cavs have 3 traditional centers on the roster who will all demand minutes and are all, arguably, stater-quality: Jarrett Allen, Andre Drummond, and JaVale McGee. 

The minute the Cavs pulled the trigger, it became instantly evident that Allen is the only one out of the group that matters to the organization long-term, shoving Drummond and McGee to the side. Cleveland has played a whole lot of jumbo lineups with very mixed results, but if they want to be a legitimately functional basketball team? They can't have more than one center on the floor at a time.

This was certainly a situation where the front office was right for reacting immediately and figuring the rest out later, but now they have a minor situation at their hands that needs taken care of. At least one of Cleveland's centers needs to be dealt, and it can't wait for free agency. So what do we do? We run to the trade machine! What can we snag for these massive dudes?

* Disclaimer: Most of these deals would require some draft compensation to be sent one way or another, but let's ignore that for now... I'm more focused on getting salaries to match.

Trade #1

Cavs get:

• Evan Fournier
• Cody Zeller

Hornets get:

• Andre Drummond
• Al-Farouq Aminu

Magic get:

• Terry Rozier
• Cedi Osman

Yeah, the Cavs get another center back in this deal, but Zeller is injured right now, can play some 4 in an absolute pinch, and wouldn't command many minutes, if any. Fournier offers Cleveland a one-year flier on a do-it-all wing, who's still only 28 years old. If things don't work out, they can simply let him walk in free agency.

Charlotte does this deal with Devonte' Graham and LaMelo Ball in mind. Trading Rozier, opens up a starting spot for LaMelo to fill. Despite Rozier's scorching hot start to the season, he's not the long-term solution here at SG. Drummond is an obvious upgrade over Biyombo and the Hornets' other young bigs at the moment and should feast off of easy looks from Charlotte's flashy backcourt.

With Fultz out for the season, Orlando finds some help in the name of Terry Rozier who would likely wind up being Cole Anthony's backup. If Cedi Osman puts himself back together, he could prove to be a solid addition to the Magic's stockpile of talent on the wing.

Trade #2

Cavs get:

• Malik Monk

Hornets get:

• JaVale McGee

Another deal with the Hornets, this time shipping JaVale out. The Cavs buy low on a border-line bust in an effort to revitalize Monk's career. Malik would fill a role as a playmaker/shot-creator off the bench for as long as KPJ is out.

Malik Monk has fallen out of Charlotte's rotation and rumor has it, he wants out. He likely doesn't have much trade value as of now, due to a disappointing NBA career to date. McGee gives LaMelo a fiery pick-and-roll partner to work with off-the-bench.

Trade #3

Cavs get:

• Aaron Holiday
• Jeremy Lamb

Pacers get:

• JaVale McGee
• Cedi Osman

Aaron Holiday is an odd fit on this Pacers team. After a brief stint starting in place of an injured TJ Warren, he's back on the bench alongside TJ McConnell for an awkward bench backcourt pairing. He's struggled to start the season, perhaps showing he's not an ideal fit in Indiana's revamped offensive system. Jeremy Lamb will likely be back from his injury sometime soon, but his contract's not looking too hot right now.

This trade finally sets up Indiana with a legitimate back-up big behind Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner, as well as netting a frisky young wing that fits Indiana's new identity of jacking up triples whenever and wherever. Pick compensation would likely need to go Indy's way to convince them to part with these assets, though.

Trade #4

Cavs get:

• DJ Wilson

Bucks get:

• JaVale McGee

DJ Wilson was always a semi-interesting player due to his size and shooting potential, and he's still only 24 years old, but it's clear that he hasn't worked out yet. Wilson seems to be following the same NBA career arch as former Cav and Buck, Thon Maker. Regardless, he's a solid depth piece with a small stroke of upside.

For the Bucks, McGee is another defensive anchor for the team. Off the bench, he brings many of the same qualities as Brook Lopez outside of the 3pt shooting (however, he may like to have a word about that). Bobby Portis is still in Milwaukee, but he can be shifted over to the 4 without much issue. The Bucks are short on legitimate depth this year, and this is a move that helps.

Trade #5

Cavs get:

• Pascal Siakam
• Patrick McCaw

Raptors get:

• Andre Drummond
• Kevin Porter Jr
• Cedi Osman

Yeah... just for fun. This isn't happening in all reality.

Trade #6

Cavs get:

• Thomas Bryant

Wizards get:

• JaVale McGee
• Dylan Windler

Thomas Bryant is still only 23 and was having a career year before recently tearing his ACL. The appeal comes next season, bringing Bryant off the bench. His skillset is almost as far apart from Jarrett Allen as it gets and they could prove to be ideal contrasts to each other when the other's off the floor. Bryant is a pretty poor defender, but he's among the best stretch 5s in the league, which brings a lot of value in its own right.

The Wizards bring JaVale McGee back to Washington to help stem some of the chaos as another veteran rim-protector along with Robin Lopez. The Wizards have struggled to get wins this year, despite Bradley Beal's brilliance. Injuries have taken down a couple of their best players, and the CoronaVirus is running rampant within the building. McGee is a great locker room presence who could help settle some of the turmoil in the Capital.

Trade #6

Cavs get:

• Justise Winslow
• Gorgui Dieng

Mavericks get:

• Andre Drummond

Grizzlies get:

• Tim Hardaway Jr
• Dwight Powell

Yeah, Justise Winslow is still in the NBA. If he ever gets back on the court, he's always been an intriguing fit with this Cavalier team, as a gritty defender and secondary playmaker. That's a big if, though. Dieng might as well be waived following this deal, as he wouldn't be receiving minutes barring injuries.

Dallas has mightily struggled grabbing rebounds this season and who's better to fix that, than Andre Drummond? Drummond anchors the paint down alongside Porzingis, in what's an intriguing fit as he's still young-ish enough to be part of a potential championship run with Luka.

For the Grizzlies, once Ja Morant returns, Hardaway could be an ideal backcourt mate as a scoring guard who can excel as a floor-spacer. Or if Taylor Jenkins continues to prefer starting Dillon Brooks, Tim can be an excellent spark-plug who is still very much in his prime.

Trade #7

Cavs get:

• Ed Davis

Timberwolves get:

• JaVale McGee

Minnesota would likely need to send a 2nd or 2 over to Cleveland to make the deal worth it for them. Ed Davis is past his days of being a net-positive while receiving substantial playing time as Utah found out last year and Minnesota found out this year. He remains a good locker room presence.

The Timberwolves' paint defense has been abysmal this season, and they don't really have a legitimate backup center. Minnesota doesn't have their draft pick this year, (unless it's in the top 3, but you never know with the new lottery odds) so losing doesn't really do much for them. They need to turn their ship around quickly if they want to make a run for the playoffs and McGee could be an initial ingredient to that.

Trade #8

Cavs get:

• Al Horford

Thunder get:

• Andre Drummond

This is another deal that would likely require the Cavs receiving SOME sort of draft compensation for them to consider. Horford bears one of the worst contracts in the NBA,  but still could be a more than solid piece for the Cavs off-the-bench, as well as a sound locker-room presence. Al is also able to space the floor adequately for Cleveland's young guards.

Replacing Drummond with Horford would leave OKC with a a boat-load of cap space next offseason. Like mountains of it. Drummond also gives the Thunder a paint beast that they don't have at the moment. The hardest part is getting Sam Presti to part with a portion of his precious picks.

Trade #9

Cavs get:

• Zach Collins

Trail Blazers get:

• JaVale McGee

Zach Collins is out again for Portland as he recovers from surgery, and his disappointing NBA career with the Blazers continues to be that way. The Gonzaga-product has struggled to stay on the floor, and when he has been healthy he's very foul-prone and just hasn't been able to put the pieces together yet. He's likely a strong candidate for picking up his qualifying offer this offseason on a 1-year prove-it deal.

McGee gives Portland more quality big-man depth as they look to get set for another playoff run in hopes that THIS will be the year. Playing Enes Kanter heavy minutes off the bench come playoff time, likely isn't an option.