Cleveland, OH- When the buzzer sounded to mark the end of game 5 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals, it was a somber moment, to say the least, for Cavs fans. A 60 plus win season, coupled with the third best net rating of the NBA, left a lot to be desired. Once again, bringing to the table another offseason of mock trades due to a postseason disappointment. However, unlike most offseasons, this will be the most challenging trade market for Cavs GM Koby Altman to navigate, as the Cavs are over the 2nd apron.
The threshold for this apron is $207.8 million dollars, and the Cavs payroll is currently $220.7 million, according to Spotrac. This apron was specifically set to stop teams like the Cavs from spending big on 3 or 4 players and then filling out the rest of the roster with a mid-level exception player and vets who were looking to take a pay cut in order to win a ring. This new rule stops teams constructing similar rotations through rules like not being able to trade a first round pick seven years into the future, no sign-and-trades, not being able to send cash in trades, and finally needing to match salaries in order to trade players. There are a few more restrictions, but the rules outlined above are the biggest impediments when it comes to the Cavs being able to improve their team via trades. So, with the elephant out of the room, let’s look at two Cavs trades.
The first trade is probably the most well known, and originated from Cleveland.com Cavs writer Chris Fedor. Fedor suggested that the Cavs could send All-Star Point Guard Darius Garland to the Orlando Magic in return for two former first round picks in Point Guard Jalen Suggs and forward Tristan da Silva. As for the Magic, I would think they would do this trade, since the team noticeably lacked offensive production, so getting Garland would fix that. I don’t think the Cavaliers would make this trade, but they should strongly consider it. Suggs brings elite defensive skills, evidenced by his All-NBA Defensive Second Team honor, while da Silva, despite limited production in his rookie season, was a standout shooter at Colorado. The Cavs could benefit greatly by adding a great defender and some three-point shooting.
The next trade originates from myself and involves the Cavs and the Lakers. The Cavs would trade Jarrett Allen and Isaac Okoro to the Los Angeles Lakers and in return receive Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2028 Los Angeles unprotected 1st round pick, and a 2030 Los Angeles Lakers swap(best with the Cavs) first round pick. The Lakers are in desperate need of a center, and Okoro could fill in the void left by trading Finney-Smith. As for the Cavs, they pick up Finney-Smith, a three-and-D wing that is capable of starting, and they pick up Hachimura, who is an efficient scoring 6 ‘8 wing. Also, this trade would move the Cavs out of the second apron to the much more favorable 1st apron. Out of all trades I’ve seen mocked to the Cavs, I believe this is the one where both teams have a chance of saying yes(since most mock trades usually have the fans’ home team overwhelmingly winning the trade).
If the Cavs want to go far in the playoffs, then they have to stay healthy (something that hasn’t gone their way), but they also should listen to trade calls that could potentially stop the early playoff exits.
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