However, it is inking that very extension that is the source of worry for the Cavaliers fanbase and front office, as Cleveland is now stuck in mediocrity for the foreseeable future. This jarring reality is less about a lack of talent on the roster, but rather a formula with how the pieces fit that will likely never translate to true contention in today’s NBA.

Cleveland’s starting five is one of the league’s most talented, but the results they get on the floor together indicate there is something wrong, and their ceiling will forever be the second round if they don’t make some changes.

With that said, here are three trade targets and candidates for the Cavaliers.

Cleveland Cavaliers Offseason Rumors

The Cavs have been linked to several promising players

As always since Donovan Mitchell has arrived in Cleveland, the Cavaliers have been in constant trade rumors. This summer, the whispers revolved around either giving up one of their star guards or acquiring a star forward to help those two.

One of the best wings that is possibly available is Brandon Ingram , so naturally, the Cavs were discussed as a potential trade destination for the 26-year-old. However, nothing has materialized yet, and Cleveland would have to agree to give him a 5-year, $210M extension, which is risky considering his injury history.

Other franchises seem to know that Cleveland wants to move Garland after extending Mitchell, giving the Cavs little leverage in a potential negotiation.

Lastly, it seems that the Cavaliers have chosen to keep Evan Mobley and move on from Jarrett Allen if they decide to break up that tandem. There are several teams starved for size out there, but Mitchell has expressed his wishes that Allen be kept in Cleveland.

Nothing has gotten very serious in terms of possible blockbuster trades, but it seems that Cleveland is inching closer to making a big move to shift the makeup of their roster.

Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Candidates

Darius Garland

Garland and Mitchell simply cannot coexist on the same floor together at a championship level because of their styles of play. Both guys need to have the ball in their hands at all times to maximize their talents, and neither is particularly skilled off the ball; I suppose they could always improve, as both players are extremely talented, but it is starting to seem like a lost cause. The duo also gives opponents two attack points on defense which will always cost Cleveland in the postseason.

Cleveland would be much better off flipping one of the two lead guards for a star wing or a couple of starting-level forwards to change the dynamic of the team. It would help Garland’s career specifically to be elsewhere, as Mitchell is the undisputed number one for this squad.

Time has run out on this duo, and it appears that Garland would be the most likely one to go because Mitchell just inked a new extension, he has more to gain from leaving and is the inferior player who is targeted even more defensively.

Donovan Mitchell, SG

Although the Cavaliers have clearly reached their ceiling with the Mitchell/Garland pairing, which was a gentlemen’s sweep at the hands of the Celtics, they appear to be trying to make this work under new head coach Kenny Atkinson. This would be a mistake, but there is not much harm in trying a new system until the trade deadline, which seems to be the direction they’re going on.

Even though Mitchell just signed his three-year extension, he would also be a prime candidate to be moved if the front office makes the right choice and splits up the duo that will doom them to mediocrity. We already know that several talent-starved teams will be in on Mitchell, as several squads have shown interest this summer before he committed to Cleveland.

Again, there is just no way that Cleveland will break through for the ultimate prize if this is their backcourt, they are doing themselves a disservice by not cashing in on their assets at maximum value. This team is just one or two moves away from true contention, and trading either Mitchell or Garland is the first step.

Jarrett Allen, C

While the Mobley/Allen duo is deadly on defense, having two non-shooters with limited offensive skill is always going to put a ceiling on this team’s title hopes. Their spacing in late game situations is brutal, and the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics exposed this flaw to disastrous consequences in their last two playoff dominations of Cleveland in 2023 and 2024.

Cleveland will prioritize keeping Mobley because he is three years younger and has much more room to grow on both sides of the ball. Mobley is entering just his fourth season in the league and has shown flashes of the complex offensive game that Cleveland desperately needs him to grow into, while Allen’s game seems to be more finished.

However, Allen is an excellent player who provides value on both sides of the ball as a rim protector, post defender, rebounder, and putback machine. Any contender that is starved for size would be lucky to have him. It is unfortunate, but separating these two bigs is the only way forward for Cleveland.