Early prospective trade targets for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2025-26 NBA season
Cavaliers Eye Potential Trades for Garland and Allen Amidst Salary Cap Constraints
The Cleveland Cavaliers, fresh off a conference semifinals exit, are considering making significant moves during the 2025 offseason. The team is likely to consider trading both Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland to manage salary cap constraints and roster composition challenges.
Jarrett Allen, a key player for the Cavaliers, is seen as a probable trade candidate to alleviate the team's luxury tax burden. Allen's departure could help manage payroll issues, with his $20 million salary potentially avoiding a $24 million tax hit.
Darius Garland, a fan favorite and a two-time All-Star, is also viewed as a potential trade piece. Despite his impressive stats last season, averaging 20.6 points, 6.7 assists, and 2.8 three-pointers per game while shooting 47% from the field and 40% from the three-point zone, his role has diminished with Donovan Mitchell established as the team's top option and Evan Mobley holding a large contract.
The Cavaliers are balancing the urgency to sign shooters like Seth Curry to improve efficiency while facing a tight salary cap, making trades of core players like Allen and Garland increasingly likely.
The pairing of Garland and Mitchell has faced scrutiny due to their combined size, defensive struggles, and both being ball-dominant players. Jarrett Allen's role is under scrutiny due to the emergence of Evan Mobley as a full-time center.
A trade involving Garland could potentially bring another All-Star caliber forward who better complements Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell. A potential trade of Allen could give the Cavaliers leverage to re-enter the market and find a superstar who fits better with their current core.
The decision to trade either Garland or Allen would not come lightly, given their potential as future faces of the franchise. However, the upcoming campaign may give a better idea of the roster's direction.
The Cavaliers, currently $12.8 million over the second tax apron and facing a projected $97 million tax bill, are expected to continue building around Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell. The team finished the previous season with a record of 64-18, placing first in the East.
Despite the challenging decisions ahead, the Cavaliers are considering making hard decisions to transform from regular season winners to title contenders. No concrete trade offers or suitors are detailed in the recent reports, but the general consensus is that Cleveland must make tough decisions involving Allen and Garland to manage team chemistry, cap space, and competitive aspirations for the 2025-26 season.
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- Amidst the ongoing salary cap constraints and roster composition challenges, rumors of the Cleveland Cavaliers considering trades for Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland to reduce their luxury tax burden are escalating as they strive to re-enter the market for a potentially transformative superstar.
- The NBA playoffs might see a significant shake-up due to the Cleveland Cavaliers' possible trading of both Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland, as the team moves from regular season dominance towards title contender aspirations for the 2025-26 season.
