The Cleveland Cavaliers need to consider all their options right now.
They’re coming off a promising season, but watching it end the way it did was certainly disappointing.
More than that, it raised plenty of questions regarding the future of this team and whether their core four has what it takes to get to the next level.
With that in mind, ESPN insider Kevin Pelton proposed a wild blockbuster trade that could net them the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and some solid role players.
Notably, they would have to part ways with Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen in this scenario:
Trade terms:
Cavs receive: 2025 No. 1 pick, guards Jevon Carter and Gabe Vincent, forwards Maxi Kleber and P.J. Washington, center Daniel Gafford
Mavericks receive: Guard Donovan Mitchell, 2031 first-round pick (via Lakers), 2028 first-round swap (via Lakers), 2030 first-round swap (via Lakers)
Lakers receive: Center Jarrett Allen
Bulls receive: Forwards Dalton Knecht and Caleb Martin, 2026 second-round pick (via Cavaliers), 2027 second-round pick (via Nuggets), 2028 second-round pick (via Cavaliers)“Would the Cavaliers actually break up a team that posted the NBA’s second-best record (64-18) in pursuit of Flagg? Surely not, but if Cleveland believed that the loss to the Indiana Pacers exposed fatal flaws and if the Cavaliers felt recentering the roster around 23-year-old Evan Mobley was the right response, this move could help everyone involved,” Pelton wrote. “A frontcourt of Flagg, Mobley and either Gafford or Washington would be one of the NBA’s best on defense, while sliding Max Strus to guard would give Cleveland more size in the backcourt.”
Truth be told, it’s hard to believe the Dallas Mavericks would even consider trading the No. 1 pick.
Not even Nico Harrison, who’s proven that he’s not afraid to pull the trigger and make surprising and league-shattering deals, might be able to keep his job if the Mavs pass on a chance to get Cooper Flagg.
One could argue that acquiring proven stars could help the Mavs pursue a championship right away, whereas first-year players are always a gamble regardless of how talented they are.
Even so, we’re talking about the next great American hope.
Flagg is one of the most hyped prospects in recent history, and he looks like an NBA-ready two-way potential superstar.
This would obviously be great for the Cavaliers, but it seems unrealistic to think that the Mavs will field calls for the No. 1 pick, much less get so little in return for it.
NEXT: Analyst Names Cavs' Potential No. 1 Trade Target This Summer
