3 Off-Season Targets for the Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been the center of NBA trade rumors since their elimination from the postseason. With Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen leading the candidates to be moved, the return for Cleveland could potentially be significant. With that in mind, here’s 3 off-season targets for the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Brandon Ingram

The Pelicans had yet another season that ended in disappointment. It’s been rumored that they’re shopping Brandon Ingram in order to shake things up. This makes sense as both his and Zion Williamson’s stats are better when they’re playing without the other.

Ingram would be a perfect fit for this Cavaliers team. This season he averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists with a 49.2 field goal percentage. It was also his lowest scoring season as a Pelican.  

Although his scoring has largely improved throughout his career, it’s hit a plateau in New Orleans. Entering a new situation in Cleveland could kick start his scoring to another gear. After all, the last season he was traded resulted in his lone all-star appearance and his winning of the Most Improved Player of the Year award. 

His playstyle, an effective driver and midrange shooter with the capacity to go on tears from deep, would fit right alongside Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley without impeding what either of those guys bring to the table. Considering he’s putting up better numbers than Max Strus in a situation that doesn’t benefit him, it seems he would be a plus even if he wasn’t playing his best basketball. 

Mikal Bridges 

Mikal Bridges is another small forward who would be an excellent fit with the Cavaliers. And, like Ingram, he finds himself in a situation that is not to his benefit. 

The Brooklyn Nets currently seem to be a directionless franchise, and Bridges is in his prime. With more young talent than all-stars, moving Bridges would be the best move for them this offseason. Whether it’s Garland or Allen in the return, either would be a better fit for their current roster than Bridges. 

With Cleveland, Bridges’s defensive acumen would be a very welcome addition to this Cavaliers team. Although JB Bickerstaff was the driving force behind this team’s defensive identity, he was just let go. Their defensive ability will still carry over to some extent. Adding a former first All-Defensive team member who finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2021-22 would certainly help that identity carry over. 

This season Bridges averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists with a steal. He also posted a solid 43.6 field goal percentage, and a respectable 37.2 three point percentage. He did post an effective field goal percentage of 52.1 percent, though. 

Andre Drummond

Although not as exciting as Ingram or Bridges, Andre Drummond returning to Cleveland could be a massive benefit next season. With the evolution of Mobley’s game, and his presumed move to the center position, the Cavaliers will need a reliable big to back him up. 

Drummond grabs rebounds like Pac-Man eats dots and, although his stats can be a bit hollow, would be a phenomenal asset off the bench. Especially considering he’d be matchup up primarily against backup big men. 

Drummond is an extremely efficient rebounder. Although he probably wouldn’t be posting multiple 20 plus rebound games like his first stretch as a Cavalier, that same level of rebounding could be effectively condensed behind Mobley. 

Whether it’s Garland or Allen moved this off-season, any of these players would be excellent off-season targets for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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