It’s hard to tell a team that has the best record in the NBA and is on a historic pace to make a blockbuster move by the trade deadline.
But one more bit too Cleveland Cavaliers could make them legitimate title contenders this year and in the future.
ESPN recently identified a move that the Wine and Gold should make and it involves a blockbuster trade Brooklyn Nets.
“Acquiring Cameron Johnson and Maxwell Lewis from the Nets for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang and draft capital would give the Cavs a coveted two-way player. Johnson has a reasonable contract for years to come, while LeVert has an expiring deal.” wrote Dave McMenamin.
“Cleveland has been so good that this isn’t an absolute must — the Cavs’ front office is reluctant to disrupt the chemistry in that locker room for any marginal trade, sources told ESPN, but Johnson seems like he could fit in anywhere with his game and conduct.”
The Cavaliers have reportedly had an interest in trading for Cameron Johnson for a few years now. But finding a package for a two-way player in his prime is easier said than done.
Much has been written and said about how fit Johnson would be on this Cavaliers roster. The underrated part of this potential trade is Maxwell Lewis, who had some potential entering the 2023 draft.
There would be a risk with the Cavaliers trading away both LeVert and Niang, even with the upside of Johnson and Lewis.
LeVert has been Cleveland’s best bench player this season and is a clear contender for Sixth Man of the Year. Niang has been much more efficient from behind the arc (38.7 percent) and is a core of the Cavaliers’ incredible chemistry.
Breaking up the team’s chemistry is something McMenamin notes the front office is reluctant to do, and it’s easy to see why. This must be a factor in any potential trade as Cleveland does.
Wine and gold have a special bond from the floor, and it also contributes to success on the court.
However, the NBA is still a business, and a possible trade for Cameron Johnson would make this franchise a contender not only this season but for the foreseeable future.
