NBA Trade Scenarios: How the Cleveland Cavaliers Add More Draft Picks

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.—John Wooden 

Chris Grant has made bold moves to appease owner Dan Gilbert and Cavs fans in his year’s duties as General Manager. Those moves are under a temporary intermission, but this summer will require careful preparation in order for the Cleveland Cavaliers to continue improving. 

Grant’s tactics in the Baron Davis trade provide a blueprint for future trades that could improve the Cavs’ chances at landing a future star in the 2012 NBA Draft. The Clippers saved money for free agents, while the Cavs hit the jackpot with the No. 1 selection. 

Can the Cavs recreate this foundation-building maneuver? The following slides present trade scenarios that could not only improve the Cavs roster, but land additional first-round draft picks for the future.

Luol Deng Owed $39.98 Million over Three Years

Luol Deng is a great defensive player who is important to the Chicago Bulls, but Derrick Rose’s expiring contract at the end of the 2012 season will be the top concern for the Bulls’ pocketbook. That pocketbook has been opened for the likes of Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah to the tune of $60.6 million over four years and $60.5 million over five years, respectively.   

Bulls Get: Antawn Jamison’s expiring contract and Ramon Sessions to back up Derrick Rose. 

Cavs Get: Luol Deng to start at small forward, C.J. Watson, and the Bulls’ 2012 first-found pick.

Josh Childress Owed $27 Million over Four Years with Vince Carter’s $18.3M

The Suns are stuck between making another run towards the playoffs and building for the future. If the Suns would like to give the playoffs one last run, the Cavs could help by offering Antawn Jamison. 

Josh Childress has not found a foothold with the Suns, only averaging five points per game while not cracking the team’s top ten in minutes played per game. The Suns will be ready for full rebuild mode in 2012-13 when Steve Nash’s contract expires. 

Suns Get: Antawn Jamison to make a run next year; Daniel Gibson and Ramon Sessions to get younger. 

Cavs Get: Josh Childress and Vince Carter to temporarily fill the small forward and shooting guard positions, respectively, and the Suns’ 2012 first-round pick.

Hedo Turkoglu and Gilbert Arenas Owed $96.6 Million over Three Years

Much like the Bulls’ concern for Rose, the Orlando Magic will have an anxious feeling until the moment Dwight Howard is signed. If the Magic want to reload their roster in order to make a run in next year’s playoffs, they could benefit from some of the Cavs’ veterans.

The Magic also own some of the worst contracts in the league, as Hedo Turkoglu is owed $34.2 million over the next three years and Gilbert Arenas is owed $62.4 million in the same time period. 

Magic Get: Antawn Jamison and Baron Davis’ shorter contracts, and a better shot at winning an NBA Championship. 

Cavs Get: Hedo Turkoglu, Gilbert Arenas, and the Magic’s 2013 first-round pick (if Howard leaves, the pick will be high).

Brandon Roy Owed $68.3 Million over Four Years

Fans in Portland haven’t been too excited about Brandon Roy’s history of injuries, as he has missed 52 games the past two years. The Trail Blazers are now looking towards the future after drafting Nolan Smith, who averaged 21 points a game in his senior season at Duke. Nolan transitioned to shooting guard from point guard, so it won’t be a stretch for the Trail Blazers’ 21st selection to take minutes away from Roy. 

Trail Blazers Get: Baron Davis and Daniel Gibson to bolster their backcourt. 

Cavs Get: Brandon Roy’s potential and the Trail Blazers’ 2012 first-round pick.

Ben Gordon Owed $37.2 Million over Three Years

The Pistons are in the process of rebuilding, having recently drafted Brandon Knight with the eighth pick in the draft. Knight will join a crowded backcourt of team scoring leader Rodney Stuckey, Richard Hamilton, and Ben Gordon. Ben Gordon hasn’t met the expectations accompanying his contract and Richard Hamilton has been quite the opposite of veteran leadership.

Pistons Get: Antawn Jamison’s expiring contract, and Daniel Gibson makes up for losing Gordon and Rip. 

Cavs Get: Ben Gordon gets a chance to return to his Bulls form, Richard Hamilton gets a buyout, and the Pistons’ 2012 first-round pick.

Who's Most Likely to Be Gone at Season's End

The Cavs have assets that could be coveted by other teams around the league if the right package is put together.

Antawn Jamison has an expiring contract, Ramon Sessions is young and outplaying his current contract, and the Cavs have shown that they want to move on from the past. Place Anderson Varejao and Daniel Gibson into the sights of those wanting to eliminate that connection. Even new Cavalier Omri Casspi has been rumored in trades with the Knicks and Spurs.

Unless your name is Kyrie Irving or Tristan Thompson, there's a possibility that you'll be traded. Let's hope that those moves result in the same good fortunes, as were received with the 2011 No. 1 pick.