The Cleveland Cavaliers have played to the level they would have hoped they’d be at after making the trade for All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell in the NBA offseason. Now, the goal is to solidify their supporting cast to make a deep run in the playoffs.
It’s become clear that amid the lack of development from Isaac Okoro, the Cavaliers need to address their starting small forward position. He has proven unable to improve as a spot-up shooter, which has negated the overall value he can provide alongside the team’s key players.
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, the Cavaliers are interested in trading for Malik Beasley from the Utah Jazz. They have considered getting involved in a three-way trade to help facilitate a deal that would send John Collins to the Utah Jazz.
As part of the Cavaliers’ ongoing search for wing upgrades, league sources say, they have weighed pursuing a three-way trade scenario that would land Atlanta’s John Collins with the Jazz and bring Utah’s Malik Beasley to Cleveland. The Jazz have well-chronicled interest in Collins but, to this point, have given the Hawks pause by seeking additional draft compensation for taking on Collins, who still has three seasons left on his five-year, $125 million contract after this one. Caris LeVert’s $18.8 million expiring contract is the Cavaliers’ most obvious trade chip.
Beasley is having a strong season for the Jazz, averaging 13.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, while shooting 39.9 percent from the floor and 35.8 percent from 3-point range. His efficiency has tapered off from his hot start, but it’s clear that he brings a helpful shooting impact to a team.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malik Beasley, Utah Jazz & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
The lack of consistency can be a concern, but there’s more to consider. Beasley would be an undersized option for the Cavaliers, considering he’s listed at just 6-foot-4. Cleveland already deploys one of the NBA’s smallest backcourts between Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. Would it be wise to add another undersized player into the fold?
The Cavaliers do have two rim protectors and versatile defenders, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, to protect the backline of the defense. However, why make things harder on them when adding favorable pieces would elevate the unit to intriguing levels?
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malik Beasley, Utah Jazz & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
The current path to success for the Cavaliers shouldn’t involve making a forced trade that adds another underwhelming fit to patch a hole for the sake of patching one. The team should take their time to find a legitimate solution to the problem — a wing with size and greater versatility.
