If the Cleveland Cavaliers decide to get active ahead of the NBA trade deadline, don’t expect fireworks. This isn’t about chasing a headline-grabbing blockbuster. But that doesn’t mean they can’t make a meaningful move-especially around the margins of the roster, where smart upgrades can pay off big in the long run.
One area that still feels unfinished is the depth behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the frontcourt. The Cavs never truly addressed that hole in the offseason.
Larry Nance Jr. and Thomas Bryant have had their moments, but neither has made a convincing case as a dependable rotation piece. And while Nae’Qwan Tomlin has been a pleasant surprise, his game is still limited to the power forward spot, which caps his flexibility.
That’s where a name like Goga Bitadze becomes interesting.
According to league chatter, the Orlando Magic are open to moving Bitadze before the Feb. 5 deadline. And while he’s not going to dominate the trade rumor mill, he checks a lot of boxes for a team like Cleveland.
Orlando, for its part, is staring down a significant payroll jump this summer. That makes players on expiring contracts more attractive to them-and that’s where someone like Lonzo Ball could enter the conversation.
Ball has a $10 million team option for the 2026-27 season, which Orlando could simply decline if they wanted the flexibility. With his role in Cleveland shrinking, Ball looks like a logical trade chip.
Bitadze, meanwhile, would come with a bit more long-term stability. He’s under contract through the end of the 2026-27 season, but on a descending deal-$8.3 million this year, dropping to $7.6 million next season. That’s a manageable number for a backup big who brings real value on both ends of the floor.
Now, it’s not a clean one-for-one swap. The money doesn’t line up perfectly, so a third team may need to jump in to make the financials work.
But if the Cavaliers can navigate that hurdle, they’d be adding a center who can finish around the rim, rebound at a solid clip, and offer legitimate rim protection when Mobley or Allen sits. That’s the kind of depth piece that becomes invaluable during the grind of the regular season-and even more so in the playoffs.
Bitadze isn’t a headline name. He’s not going to move jersey sales or dominate the post-trade deadline narratives.
But he’s a smart, low-cost addition who fits a clear need. And in a league where matchups and versatility can swing a series, that kind of move might be exactly what the Cavs need to round out their roster and make a real push down the stretch.