The Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves are both in need of a roster shakeup.
While both clubs are clear contenders, neither squad accomplished their goal in 2024-25, and that failure was largely due to imperfect roster construction.
The Cavs’ core consists of two score-first guards and two centers — not an ideal balance. Meanwhile in Minnesota, the Wolves are still one offensive weapon away from challenging the growing juggernaut that is the Oklahoma City Thunder.
A blockbuster deal between Cleveland and Minny could help the Cavs reshuffle their depth chart and arrive at some fiscal breathing room (another priority for the franchise), while providing the Wolves with the missing piece to their championship puzzle.
The Trade
Timberwolves receive…
– Darius Garland
Cavaliers receive…
– Naz Reid (expiring)*
– Mike Conley (expiring)
– Donte DiVincenzo
– 2030 first-round pick
*if Reid picks up player option for 2025-26
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The first barrier to discuss is Reid’s player option, which he has reason to decline. Still only 25 years old, Reid has displayed in two consecutive runs to the Western Conference Finals that he’s worth more than the $15M he’d earn in 2025-26 if he opted in.
The Cavs could still pull off this deal by re-negotiating Reid’s contract or signing him to a one-year “prove it” deal of high monetary value that would overpay him in the short-term but maintain his contract’s expiring status.
Assuming Cleveland could sort through the Reid details, this trade would help the Cavs cut costs, and they’d be doing so while moving on from a Garland-Donovan Mitchell duo that hasn’t won in the playoffs. Bringing in Conley for one year — far more of a distributor than Garland — could unleash Mitchell and allow him to dominate in a way that he couldn’t when sacrificing shots every night alongside Garland.
DiVincenzo and Reid would be excellent bench pieces for Cleveland (both are starter-level players on a winning NBA team).
For the Wolves, acquiring Garland would be exactly what they need. Anthony Edwards could use a gifted dribble penetrator and shot-maker to relieve the massive burden he carries right now for Minnesota. Watching the WCF this year, it was clear that Edwards lacked another bona fide scorer to play with, as the Thunder were able to focus all of their attention on Ant.
A starting five of Garland, Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert would be formidable for the Wolves.
Would the Cavs be willing to do this trade? They’d probably ask for McDaniels in the package instead of Reid, which is where negotiations could break down.
Even so, this is a deal Cleveland would at the very least consider.
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