Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: G/F Ben Simmons
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G Collin Sexton, G/F Caris LeVert, 2023 First-Round Pick (PHI), 2024 First-Round Pick (CLE), 2027 First-Round Pick (PHI)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G Damian Lillard
In 2021-22, the Cleveland Cavaliers bucked conventional trends by starting three big men in Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, and Lauri Markkanen. Could they lean further into big ball by acquiring Simmons?
The first obvious conflict here is Simmons’ fit with Garland. Who’s the point guard here? Counterpoint: who cares?
It’s a positionless league. The Cavaliers are embracing the future with this trade. Play Simmons at the 3 and let him make plays in transition. Start halfcourt sets with Garland. Cleveland’s frontcourt length was already formidable on defense last year.
By swapping the slow-footed Markkannen out of the starting lineup for one of the league’s most esteemed defenders in Simmons, it should become dominant.
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Meanwhile, the Blazers get a promising young player in Sexton in addition to three first-round picks in this deal. Again, we don’t expect them to take it. The safe money is on them flipping their upcoming seventh overall pick for a win-now veteran and running it back with Lillard.
If they did choose to change courses, this trade would set them in the right direction.
