The Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to explore trades for significant short- or long-term help, using the No. 5 pick in November’s draft as potential bait, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reports.
The Cavs’ who have shown interest in each of the players projected to go in the top three (LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, and James Wiseman), are looking to make the playoffs after drafting two consecutive top-10 picks and trading for All-Star center Andre Drummond.
With veteran Kevin Love’s contract on the books for three more seasons, Cleveland doesn’t have the salary cap space to go out and chase a splash free agent. This makes trading for the type of star talent they’re looking for their most practical route to acquiring more talent.
Despite the team’s intentions and owner Dan Gilbert’s apparent willingness to spend, however, trade activity doesn’t always lead to action.
The Cavaliers haven’t been to the playoffs since LeBron James left the franchise in 2018 and they have yet to make the playoffs without James since drafting him in 2003.
