Cavs Trade Deadline Outlook: Lonzo Ball, the Core 4, and a Complicated Cap Picture
As the NBA trade deadline inches closer, the Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves in a familiar position: competitive, intriguing, and at a bit of a crossroads. Riding a recent surge that’s vaulted them within striking distance of the Eastern Conference’s upper tier, the Cavs are navigating a tricky balance - staying aggressive without shaking the foundation of a roster they still believe in.
So, what’s on the table? Let’s break it down.
The Core 4 Isn’t Going Anywhere - For Now
Let’s start with what’s not likely to happen. Despite chatter around the league, there’s no indication that Cleveland is looking to break up its “Core 4” of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. That quartet remains central to the Cavs’ long-term vision, and internally, there’s still strong belief this group can make a deep playoff run - especially once fully healthy.
Garland is working his way back from a toe injury. Max Strus is expected to return from offseason foot surgery.
And second-year wing Jaylon Tyson has been a pleasant surprise, giving Cleveland another versatile piece on the wing. The front office wants to see this team at full strength before making any seismic moves.
In short, unless something dramatic changes between now and the deadline, don’t expect any fireworks involving the team’s core stars. The more likely action? Around the edges.
Dean Wade, De’Andre Hunter Drawing Interest
Cleveland has fielded calls on a few rotation pieces. De’Andre Hunter - last season’s trade-deadline acquisition - has struggled this year, both statistically and in terms of fit. He’s still adjusting to a new role, and teams are sniffing around to see if the Cavs are ready to move on.
Dean Wade, a free-agent-to-be, is also drawing interest. His defensive versatility and floor-spacing make him an appealing piece for contenders looking to shore up their forward depth.
But again, the Cavs aren’t eager to make a move just to make one. They’re operating with a long-term lens, and unless a deal clearly upgrades the roster or adds future flexibility, they’re likely to hold.
The Cap Crunch: Cleveland’s Second Apron Reality
Now here’s where things get complicated. The Cavs are the only team currently sitting in the NBA’s penal second apron - a designation that comes with a laundry list of restrictions.
They can’t combine contracts in a trade. They can’t take back more money than they send out.
And they’ve only got one first-round pick (either 2031 or 2032) available to grease the wheels of a deal. That’s it.
So any trade Cleveland makes has to be surgical. Clean.
Precise. And ideally, it needs to either clear salary or bring in a player who can make a real on-court impact now.
Which brings us to Lonzo Ball.
Lonzo Ball: The Most Likely Trade Chip
When the Cavs acquired Ball this past summer in a swap for Isaac Okoro, the idea was simple: bring in a high-IQ, defense-first guard who could stabilize the second unit and take some of the playmaking load off Garland and Mitchell.
In theory, it made sense. Ball’s size, vision, and defensive chops were supposed to be a seamless fit.
But in practice? It just hasn’t worked.
Ball has struggled mightily this season. He’s averaging career-lows across the board - just 5.0 points per game on 30.9% shooting from the field and 27.7% from three.
His minutes have dwindled. Since January began, he’s received six DNPs and has only eclipsed 15 minutes once - a rare bright spot in Orlando where he posted a stat-stuffing 25-minute outing.
That performance, though, was the exception, not the norm. Craig Porter Jr. has leapfrogged him in the rotation. And with Garland nearing a return, Ball’s path to meaningful minutes looks even murkier.
Still, there’s a silver lining here: Ball’s contract.
He’s on the books for $10 million next season via a team option - and it’s highly unlikely any team picks that up. Which makes him, essentially, an expiring contract. For teams looking to get under the tax or create cap flexibility, that has value.
Potential Trade Scenarios: Marshall, Alvarado, and the Market
So who might bite?
The Mavericks are an interesting candidate. Sitting above the second apron and motivated to get out from under it, Dallas has made versatile swingman Naji Marshall available. Marshall is enjoying a career year and fits a need for Cleveland - he’s a downhill driver, something the Cavs’ bench sorely lacks, and he’s under contract for $9 million this year and next.
Dallas reportedly wants a first-round pick for Marshall. The Cavs only have one to offer, but if they’re serious about making a push this year, it’s not out of the question.
Another option? New Orleans.
The Pelicans are in the Western Conference basement and creeping close to the tax line. Guard Jose Alvarado - on a deal that includes a $4.5 million player option for 2026-27 - could be a candidate for a salary dump.
Neither scenario is easy. Two apron teams trying to do business is like threading a needle with oven mitts on. But Cleveland has shown interest in Marshall, and Ball’s contract might be the key to unlocking a deal.
The Bottom Line
The Cavs aren’t looking to blow things up. They still believe in their core, and they’ve got reason to - this team is playing its best basketball of the season and is just two games back of the No. 2 seed in the East.
But they’re not blind to the flaws, either. If there’s a way to upgrade the bench, add a little more juice offensively, or create future flexibility - especially using Ball’s contract - they’ll explore it.
Just don’t expect a blockbuster. This deadline is about fine-tuning, not overhauling. And with the East as wide open as it’s been in years, sometimes the smartest move is the one that doesn’t mess with what’s working.