The Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t done dealing - not by a long shot.
Fresh off a trade that sent De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal that brought back Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder, the Cavs are staying aggressive in reshaping their roster. And if the latest reports are any indication, Cleveland’s front office is thinking big.
On Monday night, word surfaced that the Cavaliers have been in discussions with the Los Angeles Clippers about a potential blockbuster: James Harden for Darius Garland. That’s a headline-grabber in its own right. But that’s not the only conversation happening behind closed doors.
According to reports, Cleveland has also held preliminary talks with the Charlotte Hornets centered around Lonzo Ball. The idea?
A trade construction that would send Ball to the Hornets - along with some second-round draft capital - in a move that could pair him with his younger brother LaMelo. It’s the kind of reunion fans have been dreaming about since the two lit up high school gyms at Chino Hills.
Now, let’s unpack the layers here.
For Charlotte, the appeal is obvious. Bringing the Ball brothers together would be a marketing dream and, more importantly, could add another playmaker to a team that’s suddenly surging.
The Hornets have won seven straight and are climbing fast in the Eastern Conference standings. Adding Lonzo - if he can find his rhythm - could give them another gear.
But this isn’t just about nostalgia or family reunions. There’s a reason Cleveland would need to attach draft compensation to move Lonzo.
He’s struggled this season, and his value around the league has taken a hit. That’s where teams like Charlotte, Brooklyn, and Utah come into play.
All three, per league sources, have shown interest in being facilitators in multi-team trades or absorbing unwanted salary - as long as there’s draft capital attached.
For the Cavaliers, this is clearly about flexibility and long-term vision. Shipping out Hunter, exploring deals involving Garland, and now potentially moving Lonzo shows a front office that’s not afraid to make bold moves - even if they come with risk.
Garland for Harden would be a seismic shift in playstyle and locker room dynamics. Meanwhile, flipping Lonzo and picks for future cap space or roster balance could be part of a broader strategy to retool on the fly.
And here’s the twist: Cleveland’s next game is in Los Angeles - against the Clippers. Talk about timing. Whether the Harden deal materializes or not, the chessboard is active, and the Cavs are right in the middle of it.
Keep an eye on this team. With the trade deadline approaching, Cleveland is clearly signaling that they’re open for business - and willing to make moves that could shake up the Eastern Conference landscape.