The Cleveland Cavaliers were one of the favorites to win the Eastern Conference to begin the season. After winning 60+ games last season, they brought back pretty much everyone from that roster. This season, they didn’t quite play as well.
At the trade deadline, Cleveland traded for James Harden as their big move. They believe he will help them generate some offense as the point guard of the team. However, there is a report that the Cavaliers tried to add a bigger fish at the deadline, but were rejected.
According to a recent report, the Cavaliers tried to offer a package for Giannis Antetokounmpo earlier this season.
GettyMilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo celebrates during a game. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The Cavaliers Tried to Trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Cavs tried to bring in Antetokounmpo. However, it was a package that was too rich for Cleveland. They were asking for Evan Mobley and pretty much all of their picks, according to Fischer. Cleveland turned that down.
While Cleveland didn’t want to do that during the season, there is a chance that the playoffs change what they want to do with the roster if they are not able to advance past the second round. This is already the most expensive team in the league, so a pivot isn’t out of the question.
Antetokounmpo ended up staying with the Bucks for the rest of the season. This summer, there is a very good chance that he will end up being moved out of Milwaukee. Cleveland is one of the teams that has the best packages for him if they decide to include Mobley.
The Bucks will not trade Antetokounmpo until they get the best possible package for Antetokounmpo. The entire reason why they decided not to trade Antetokounmpo is so that they could have more teams bidding for him in the offseason.
GettyCleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden drives the ball. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Cleveland Could be in Store for Massive Changes
Depending on how the series with the Pistons shakes out, the Cavaliers could be in store for some huge offseason changes. The team is already in the second apron. If they are eliminated before making the Conference Finals again, big roster moves could happen.
That could include taking another run at Antetokounmpo. It could also include making smaller trades to try to improve the current state of the roster. Everything is on the table if the Pistons end up beating Cleveland in this series. Dan Gilbert spent a lot of money putting this current roster together.
Koby Altman is the one who was in charge of finding all these pieces to put together. If they don’t fit and work out, then it could be time for the Cavs to blow it up. Antetokounmpo coming to Cleveland would be an exciting addition, but one that could cost Cleveland its future.
Any possible trade for Antetokounmpo likely wouldn’t happen until right before the NBA Draft.
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