Cleveland Cavaliers: A trade proposal to acquire DeAndre Jordan, Lou Williams
Keeping LeBron James could be as easy as acquiring DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams. Here’s the proposal the Cleveland Cavaliers need to make before the 2018 NBA trade deadline.
We’ve got just over a week before the 2018 NBA trade deadline arrives, and things are starting to heat up. The festivities really kicked off on Monday when the Los Angeles Clippers sent Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons and officially began the rebuilding process.
With Griffin gone, it’s only a matter of time before the Clippers also unload their other star players. DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams were already considered to be on the trade block, and now find themselves on the verge of wearing different jerseys. Could it be Cleveland Cavaliers jerseys they’re wearing once Feb. 8 is in the rearview mirror?
For some time now, the Cavaliers have been seen as one of the top contenders for the Clippers’ duo. They’re clearly not the same team that made three straight NBA Finals, and need a boost to their roster if they’re going to convince LeBron James to stay this offseason.
Well it just so happens now is the perfect opportunity — strike while the fire sale is still in full swing.
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That begs the question of what it’ll cost Cleveland to land the duo of Jordan and Williams. Chances are it won’t be cheap, although it also likely won’t cost them what the Pistons paid for Griffin. Here’s some insight from The Undefeated‘s Marc J. Spears:
"Don’t be surprised if Jordan and hot-scoring guard Lou Williams both obtain change of address cards by the Feb. 8 trade deadline… To acquire Jordan or Williams, talented young players, talented veterans with short contracts and draft picks would be attractive trade bait."
Okay, so what can the Cavaliers offer to entice the Clippers to part with the only top-tier talents they have left? Well that’s why we’re here — to look at what I believe is the best proposal Cleveland is going to be able to put together without completely gouging their roster.
So here it is:
Now there are a couple of things to note with this trade proposal.
Earlier this month, the Plain Dealer‘s Terry Pluto claimed that the Cavaliers weren’t interested in dealing the Brooklyn Nets‘ first round pick. It makes sense, considering it’ll likely end up as a top 10 pick for a team that may need to rebuild if James departs. However, if the Clippers really are willing to send them Jordan and Williams, does their stance change? I think so.
I must reiterate that the Clippers aren’t getting as much out of this deal as they did for Griffin. Tristan Thompson is an overpaid backup center, Channing Frye is nothing more than an expiring contract and Cedi Osman is a solid-yet-unspectacular overseas prospect. The only truly intriguing piece is the Nets pick.
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Still, Thompson is only 26 and has flashed the ability to dominate at times during his career. His three seasons (including this one) left on his contract will be off-putting for Los Angeles, but it’s the only way to logically make the financials work.
Frye is fine because he’s $7.4 million that’ll fall off the books this offseason. It’s not like the Clippers are looking for players to win them games right now. Osman is a solid depth piece moving forward, but that’s about it.
Again, it’s all about that pick. With the Nets’ selection, the Clippers could potentially have two or even three lottery picks (including their own and the one they got from Detroit). With Griffin, Jordan and Williams gone, they need all of the young assets they can get. In what figures to be an exciting 2018 NBA Draft class, even two lottery picks could be very valuable.
What do the Cavaliers get in return? An All-Star center who can turn around their miserable defense and an electric scorer who can put up points in bunches on any given night. Considering Cleveland’s struggles this season, both sound like they’d be welcomed additions. But come on, I don’t need to convince you why this is a necessary move for Tyronn Lue and co.
Next: Trade proposals for Cavaliers' top deadline targets
It seems like a lot to give up, but the Cavaliers are getting plenty back. Prying that Nets pick away from them won’t be easy. However, it’s the price you pay when winning could be the difference between keeping and losing the best player in the world.