The Cavaliers didn’t land LeBron James, so the question now is what kind of move actually fits.
One idea floated by Chase Brownawell of Cavs on SI points Cleveland toward Dillon Brooks, with a hypothetical trade framework that would send Dennis Schroder and either Max Strus or Sam Merrill to Phoenix to balance the money. It’s important to stress that this is only a proposal. There’s been no sign the Suns are shopping Brooks, and no indication the two teams have talked trade.
Still, the fit is easy to understand.
Brooks is coming off what may have been the strongest season of his career, putting up 20.2 points a night for Phoenix while still bringing the physical defense and edge that have followed him throughout his NBA run. That combination is exactly why he stands out for a Cavaliers team that already has plenty of scoring.
With Donovan Mitchell and James Harden in the backcourt and Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen up front, Cleveland’s need isn’t another headline-grabbing scorer. It’s a tough, two-way wing who can take on hard defensive assignments and make life miserable for opposing offense. Brooks fits that description cleanly.
He’d also add a dose of the playoff nastiness the Cavaliers sometimes seem to be missing. Brooks plays with no fear, even if that approach occasionally gets him into trouble.
And of course, his history with new LeBron is well known. That matchup alone is easy to picture if the teams ever found themselves on a postseason collision course.
The bigger takeaway is that Cleveland may not need to chase another star after missing out on LeBron. What it needs is a player who fits around the stars already in place.
That’s why Brownawell’s Brooks idea is at least worth a look. Phoenix would have to be willing to engage first, but for the Cavaliers, making a call wouldn’t hurt.
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