Three Cleveland Cavaliers Who Could Be Traded Before Deadline

The Cleveland Cavaliers have several intriguing trade candidates as the deadline rapidly approaches.

Oct 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) brings the ball up the court against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The trade deadline is days away, and if the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis swap showed NBA fans anything, it's that anything can happen from now until then.

The Cleveland Cavaliers don't have any obvious needs to address, and a team doesn't accidentally win 40 games before the All-Star Break.

But even if the Cavs do make a move, even if it's a minor one, these are three players who could be included in a potential trade.

Caris LeVert

Caris LeVert's name has popped up in trade rumors and reports more than once this season. He's one of Cleveland's most reliable bench players and is averaging 10.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.

However, the Cavaliers could deal LeVert for two reasons: payroll and current value.

Cleveland is roughly $2 million over the luxury tax, and trading him for a lesser contract could give them better financial flexibility moving forward, with extensions to Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley set to kick in next season.

Also, with LeVert putting together one of the best seasons of his career, an opposing team could be willing to give up a solid asset to acquire him.

Dec 13, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards guard Carlton Carrington (8) during the second half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Isaac Okoro

Isaac Okoro is another player who could possibly be on the move before Thursday's deadline.

Similarly to LeVert, trading Okoro could help the Cavaliers avoid the luxury tax and provide them with that precious payroll flexibility in the future.

Okoro is one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders and has developed a solid outside shot. However, the Cavaliers could find a player to replicate that production coming on a cheaper salary.

A perfect example of this is a trade idea by ESPN's Bobby Marks, which has the Cavaliers acquire Cody Martin from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Okoro.

Tristan Thompson

Tristan Thompson has played a key role as one of the Cavaliers' veteran leaders, but trading him could be another avenue for Cleveland to get out of the luxury tax.

Moving TT and his $2 million contract could secure future financial flexibility for the Cavaliers, and they wouldn't lose a rotation player in the process.

That said, trading Thompson would leave Cleveland's frontcourt depth more thin, and what Thompson has done for Cleveland's chemistry has been invaluable.

But sometimes, GMs and high-up executives have to make these tough decisions.