Following an unsightly second-round exit at the hands of the Indiana Pacers, the Cleveland Cavaliers may consider changes this summer, but according to recent speculation, the injury to Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum may impact their offseason plans. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report wrote as much during a recent news dump:
“Cleveland won't make change for change's sake, and it might be better off just running it back in what feels like a wide open Eastern Conference. Between Jayson Tatum's injury and Giannis Antetokounmpo's uncertainty in Milwaukee, the Cavs might see fewer obstacles ahead of them than ever.”
Buckley’s statement is pure speculation, but it makes a ton of sense. The Cavs just had an incredible regular season, and next year, the East could be even more wide open. Why take a huge risk now?
The Cavs are open to trades
Well, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cavaliers may be willing to go so far when it comes to trades. He noted that Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley will be off the table in talks, but outside of that, the Cavs could be open to the right deal.
"They prefer to keep the core four together and see if they can build around them and find the right pieces around them," he stated. "...In saying that, I think the two untouchables are Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. I have been getting the sense that the Cavs would be more willing to entertain and at least consider possibilities for Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland than they have in the past."
Like Buckley, none of Fedor’s comments are set in stone, but they make sense. Mitchell and Mobley were the backbone of the Cavs’ success this past season, and if a trade were to be made, Garland and Allen could make solid bargaining chips.
Where do the Celtics come into play?
Although Boston flamed out in the second round this year (much like the Cavs), they are still one of the top threats in the Eastern Conference. Or at least, they were before Tatum went down with a ruptured Achilles.
He will likely be sidelined for all of next year, and when you add in a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, which Buckley mentioned, why should the Cavs blow things up?
Sure, they could change the fringes of the roster in hopes of competing at a higher level, but their formula was successful. Considering how much weaker the East looks like it will be next year, why risk trading core pieces now?
