While the Cleveland Cavaliers will likely use the No. 20 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft to add a rotation piece, nothing should be off the table. Heading into this offseason, the Cavs need to find consistency from the bench regarding three-point shooting, especially on the wing and from their backup big man. Cleveland is a team that seems hell-bent and determined to continue their big-time pairing of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, which is why shooting at every position from their reserves remains a high priority.
Sure, there are options to fit those molds in the 2024 NBA Draft, with Tristan da Silva, Johnny Furphy, and Kyle Filipowski all coming to mind. However, considering that the Cavs are looking to level up toward being a title contender, they may not think relying on a rookie to support that vision could be the best course of action.
With that in mind, Cleveland can trade their 2024 and 2031 first-round picks on the night of draft to make a splashier, win-now move. While it's not a ton of draft ammunition since the Cavs traded the farm to acquire Donovan Mitchell, there is one trade that makes sense for all parties involved.
All while focusing on the No. 1 goal, making Cleveland a title threat.
Cavs' ideal 2024 NBA Draft trade
Cavs get: Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, MarJon Beauchamp
Milwaukee Bucks get: Bruce Brown, Caris LeVert, Dean Wade, Javon Freeman-Liberty
Toronto Raptors get: Brook Lopez, Chris Livingston, Ty Jerome, Pick No. 20, 2024 NBA Draft, Pick No. 33, 2024 NBA Draft
Once the dust settles and the Cavs have three new faces on their roster, here is what Cleveland's rotation should look like before any free-agency decisions are made:
Starting unit: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarret Allen
Key reserves: Pat Connaughton, Isaac Okoro, Bobby Portis, MarJon Beauchamp, Georges Niang
Fringe rotation: Damian Jones, Craig Porter Jr., Emoni Bates (TW), Isaiah Mobley (TW), Pete Nance (TW)
For the Cavs, this is the perfect mix of everything they're looking for regarding bench depth. Pat Connaughton can provide wing depth, perimeter defense, and three-point shooting, while Bobby Portis can give Cleveland a mixture of size, shooting, and rebounding. Both Connaughton and Portis would also give the Cavs lineup versatility, with Connaughton able to play at the two or the three while Portis can command time at the four and the five, locking down minutes right away in Cleveland's rotation.
The hope is that the same can be said for MarJon Beauchamp, a young, athletic wing who has shown flashes as a three-point shooting threat but still needs time to grow as an NBA player. If Beauchamp eventually lives up to the expectations surrounding him, he can be a similar player to Kelly Oubre but with a heightened defensive pedigree. He could play in spells off the bench for the Cavs, but with his former Milwaukee teammates leading the charge as key reserves for Cleveland, he could grow at his own rate.
Either way, this move answers most of their more pressing needs before free agency kicks off. With their nearly $13 million mid-level exception available, the Cavs can still look for a little more support on the margins, especially with the need for a more reliable point guard behind Garland and Mitchell. Thankfully, that's much easier to obtain than Cleveland's needs, so it might be time for the Cavs to swing for the fences and go all in on what they've built.
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