The Cleveland Cavaliers are among the early favorites to advance past a relatively wide-open Eastern Conference, and they’re looking to rebound from last season’s conference semifinals loss.
The Cavaliers have the tools to make significant noise in the playoffs and will surely be eager to prove themselves after last season’s playoff collapse. However, the road to the NBA Finals won’t be easy.
The Cavaliers boast a strong core featuring Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, along with De’Andre Hunter, Max Strus, Sam Merrill and Lonzo Ball. Still, they may look to make another trade to push them over the hump.
MORE: Cavaliers star Darius Garland receives positive injury update
Cavaliers linked to Franz Wagner
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey named Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner as Cleveland’s “dream” trade target, though Cleveland would almost certainly have to give up one of its core pieces to acquire him.
“Moving Garland would be pretty surprising, but his game and the fact that his salary is almost double Allen’s could open the door to some pretty interesting returns,” he wrote. “Would the Orlando Magic think Garland, with his outside shooting and playmaking, is a better fit with Paolo Banchero? For Cleveland, moving Mitchell to the 1 and starting him with Wagner, Mobley and Allen, would certainly improve the defense.”
Through four games in the 2025-26 campaign, the Magic have shot just 29.1 percent from three-point range. While it’s a small sample size, the Magic had the same issue in 2024-25, when they shot a league-worst 31.8 percent from downtown.
Garland is a career 38.8 percent shooter from downtown and shot 40.1 percent from three-point range last season. However, his size makes him an easy target on the defensive end.
The Cavaliers don’t necessarily need more shooting on the wing, and Wagner’s defense would be a great fit alongside Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
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