How This Trade Impacts Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers surprised a lot of people with how well they performed during the 2021-22 season. While they didn’t qualify for the postseason, it was the most wins in a non-LeBron James season for the franchise since the 1997-98 campaign.
While J.B. Bickerstaff made the most of the roster he was given, going with the unconventional three-big lineup, for the Cavaliers to take that next step they need to find a two-way wing. They accomplish that goal in this scenario, landing Andrew Wiggins from the Golden State Warriors.
Wiggins is exactly what Cleveland needs. He provides another go-to scorer alongside Darius Garland and potentially Collin Sexton, but more importantly, provides the team with more insurance defensively. Wiggins is an excellent defender, giving Cleveland another option so that teams cannot as easily pick on Garland.
Combined with Caris LeVert, the Cavaliers now have some size on the perimeter. This also takes some pressure off of Isaac Okoro, who can develop at his own pace behind Wiggins, potentially giving the Cavaliers two versatile, two-way wings.
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To acquire talent you need to part with some and Cleveland says goodbye to Jarrett Allen in this deal. Allen is one of the best young big men in the NBA, but their ceiling will be higher with Evan Mobley taking over the center spot. Their lineup has better balance on both ends with Wiggins taking the place of Allen.
Cleveland pays that price in this year’s draft, moving down from No. 14 to No. 28, picking up the 51st pick as well. But, they get a future first-round pick which could become very valuable with Golden State’s Big 3 of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green all being at least 36 years old by that time.
