Cavaliers Trade Out of First Round Pick in Deal With Kings

The Cleveland Cavaliers are moving out of the first round, as they have sent the 29th overall pick to the Sacramento Kings for the 34th overall pick and a future second-round pick.

The Cavs fell short of reaching the NBA Finals in the 2025-26 season, as they were swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

It was a disappointing end to the season for Cleveland as they made a major swing at the deadline, acquiring James Harden in a deal that sent Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Cavs now have a ton of decisions to make this offseason as they try to dodge the second apron while building a championship-caliber roster around Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley.

Mitchell played well in the 2025-26 season, averaging 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three.

Mobley anchored their defense once again, but didn't take the leap they were hoping he would on offense. The 25-year-old big man averaged 18.2 points per game along with nine rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.7 blocks. Mobley shot 54.6 percent from the floor and 29.7 percent from behind the arc.

Cleveland will have to make major decisions about how to build around Mitchell and Mobley while staying under the second apron, amid Harden's impending free agency, and Jarrett Allen as a potential trade chip.

Harden played well in 26 games in the regular season for the Cavs, averaging 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game while shooting 46.6 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from deep.

He is a talented player, but at 36 years old, Cleveland will have to decide how much money they're willing to tie to Harden. The Cavs may also move on from Allen, as he's a talented center but has a three-year $91 million extension kicking in.

As the financial restrictions tighten around Cleveland this summer, they will have to make some major decisions, but making this draft night trade helps them take a small step in staying under the second apron.

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