The Cavaliers may not have the cap space to swing a major overhaul, but there’s still a route for them to make a loud statement to LeBron James: go get Kyrie Irving.
That’s the kind of move Cleveland could use as it tries to convince James to choose them as one of his three finalists this summer. The fit is obvious on paper, and the history between James and the franchise runs deep. Still, the uncertainty around his decision suggests the Cavs may need to do more than simply present a familiar face and a strong roster.
One possible path runs through a sign-and-trade involving James Harden, who declined his $42.3 million player option for 2026-27. NBA insider Greg Swartz laid out a three-team framework on X that would send Harden to the Miami Heat and Kyrie Irving into Cleveland’s orbit.
In the scenario, the Miami Heat would receive James Harden. The Dallas Mavericks would get Jarrett Allen, Nikola Jovic, Dennis Schroder, and Davion Mitchell.
It’s not a deal that’s being actively discussed, but the logic is easy to follow. Miami would be adding another star to pair with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, and Harden still has plenty left in the tank.
Last season, he put up 23.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 46.6% from the field and 43.5% from three. At 36, he’s no longer the kind of player who can carry everything on his own, but he can still swing games.
The Heat could then round out the roster with veteran minimum signings.
For Dallas, the appeal would be in getting younger around Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks would not give up Irving lightly, and Allen would likely have to be part of any serious conversation. Swapping Irving for Allen would fit the direction of a team trying to build forward, while Schroder, Jovic, and Mitchell would give the Mavericks a boost in the backcourt.
But the biggest swing in the whole idea belongs to Cleveland. Even after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, there’s still a feeling that the Cavaliers need another move to keep pace with the East’s top teams. Irving may not be the only answer, but he might be the cleanest one at point guard if the goal is to sell James on a return.
That’s because the James-Irving partnership already has the kind of history teams dream about. They won a championship together, and their connection goes beyond the box score. If Cleveland can bring Irving back, the pitch to James gets a lot stronger.
The remaining question is whether Irving would be on board. He was not at the Cavs’ 2016 championship reunion event, but that doesn’t mean there’s any bad blood with his old teammates. If he gets the chance to return to Cleveland and do it again, the expectation would be that he brings everything he has as one of the greatest offensive point guards of all time.
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Horsts praise for Jakucionis centered on the kind of traits front offices love to bet on in a young guard: competitiveness, work ethic and real point guard instincts. For Miami, that makes the rookies inclusion an especially notable part of the transaction, even if the full shape of the deal is still being measured against what the Heat gave up to land a franchise player of Antetokounmpos caliber. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Still Havent Solved The Problem Fans Keep Watching
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For the Heat, that matters because Jovic remains one of the younger pieces they need to keep developing while the front office keeps sorting through bigger roster questions. Andrew Wiggins new deal, the ongoing debate over how to use cap space, and the search for more reliable shooting all point to a team still trying to find the right mix, even as players like Trevor Keels are taking advantage of Summer League minutes and trying to prove they belong. [Read more 🡒]
Davion Mitchell Is Already Feeling The Pressure Of Miamis New Era
Davion Mitchells first summer in Miami has already come with a different kind of spotlight. With the Heats roster reshaped by trades and free agency, the guard is being talked about as the presumptive opening-night lead guard, which is a lot to put on a player still settling into his new surroundings. Mitchell has sounded eager for the challenge, and his offseason work has reflected that sense of urgency as he tries to make himself fit the role Miami suddenly needs him to fill.
There is also a clear effort to level up physically. Mitchell said he has dropped significant weight and is moving better, with his athleticism showing up more in workouts as he works toward a bigger responsibility. The next step is an important one, too, as he looks to sharpen that game alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo later this summer, a move that says plenty about how seriously he is approaching this new chapter. [Read more 🡒]