First, the medal ceremony: The Cleveland Cavaliers were the biggest winners of this trade deadline. They were unable to get out of the second apron, but they shed significant tax penalties and improved their roster with a dynamic, impactful star.
James Harden has his warts, and they’ve all been well-documented, but since Giannis Antetokounmpo is staying put in Milwaukee, at least for now, I would argue that no contender improved at the deadline as much as the Cavaliers.
The underlying benefit to all of that is how it should position them this summer to secure another contract extension from Donovan Mitchell. But if this team crashes out again in the second round, nothing is safe.
The trade to acquire Harden was an Eastern Conference finals move. Whatever happens after that is up to fate and the basketball gods.
Trading away Darius Garland could hurt in three or four years, but the Cavs are hoping they have a championship by then. Mitchell’s camp was pressuring the Cavs in the weeks leading up to the deadline to improve the roster. They answered by delivering him a player he wants to play alongside, further proving how invested the Cavs are in retaining Mitchell.
He can sign an extension this summer, up to four years in length, worth a projected $275 million. It would come with a projected starting salary in 2027-28 of around $66 million. It’s an extraordinary investment to make in an undersized guard who will be 31 at the time, but this league demonstrates every day how contracts aren’t forever. Sign today, figure out the future money problems tomorrow.
The Clippers and Cavs essentially flipped distressed assets. Garland’s market was flat for obvious reasons: the toe injuries, his lack of size and his atrocious defense. The Clippers were similarly struggling to move Harden because of his age, contract demands and reputation — although by all accounts he was a model citizen in Los Angeles. Harden comes with a shelf life. Every team that acquires him understands that. The Clippers loved having him there. Maybe it’s a sign they got out at the right time.
Harden’s arrival will benefit Mitchell, but it should actually benefit Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen the most. Harden is a magician on pick-and-rolls and will create plenty of lob opportunities at the rim for Mobley and Allen. I’ve been critical of Allen at times the last few years, but Harden’s arrival could unlock another level for him offensively.
It’s fair to question how quickly Harden and Mitchell will fit alongside each other, but both are motivated to make it work. That’s usually most of the battle, although I would give them at least 15 to 20 games to figure it out. It might even take up to the playoffs.
Harden, like Mitchell, can sign an extension with the Cavaliers this summer, and I would expect him to do so. It will be another active summer in Cleveland regardless of how the season ends. There are stars to sign and contracts to move.
It’s a little strange that the Cavs got so close to the second apron without being able to dip all the way out, but they ran out of assets. Max Strus’ value is deflated because he hasn’t appeared in a game this season after suffering a Jones fracture last summer.
They could have perhaps found a dumping ground for Larry Nance Jr. or Craig Porter Jr., but they had limited sweeteners to entice teams to take on those contracts. Instead, they bundled their two remaining second-round picks and used them to unload Lonzo Ball’s money, saving owner Dan Gilbert about $60 million in tax penalties. It was basically a case of picking the worst contract and dumping it for the most tax relief.
I wrote after they acquired Ball last summer that it was a two-step process in shedding Isaac Okoro’s contract. The Cavs tried to get off Okoro’s contract completely before the season, but couldn’t find any takers. The best deal they could create still brought back Ball’s $10 million salary and a $10 million non-guaranteed number next year. If Ball had anything left, he could help them in the postseason. It quickly became apparent that injuries seem to have overtaken him.
By remaining in the second apron, the Cavs’ 2033 first-round pick will be frozen for the next few years. That may not sound like a big deal right now, but it could eventually become problematic. That has to be a worry for another day.
The Cavs are trying to win a championship in a wide-open Eastern Conference and secure another extension from Mitchell. This week, they got a little closer to both.
