Here are the players the Cleveland Cavaliers should target in trade talks this summer.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the fourth seed in the 2026 Eastern Conference playoffs. As of this writing, they are up 2-0 against the Toronto Raptors in the first round. All signs point toward Cleveland advancing to the second round for the second straight year.
As most people know, the Cavaliers haven't advanced past the second round of the playoffs since 2018. If that continues this year, Cleveland's front office may have to tweak the roster again this summer.
With that said, NBA analyst Dan Favale of Bleacher Report believes the Cavaliers should target Justin Champagnie, Ron Holland II and Derrick Jones Jr. this offseason.
"Justin Champagnie is ideal," Favale wrote. "He subsists on spot-up threes and holds his own on defense, even spitting out the occasional help around the basket. Earning just under $2.7 million next year, he's so cheap the Cavs may actually have to extend the deal so they can get off a more expensive player.
"Ron Holland II comes with a ton of offensive baggage. That's precisely why he may not be untouchable entering Year 3. His defensive physicality would be a welcomed value add alongside Harden and Mitchell, and Cleveland might be able to entice the Detroit Pistons with sweeteners attached to a healthy Max Strus.
"Derrick Jones Jr. continues to have the physical pop, when available, to cover four positions. He, too, comes with offensive trade-offs but can be used as a screener, has a track record playing alongside Harden and comes off the books after next season."
Champagnie averaged 8.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game for the Washington Wizards this season, Holland II averaged 8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game for the Detroit Pistons and Jones Jr. averaged 10.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Jones Jr. makes the most sense for the Cavaliers since he played with James Harden and is an elite athlete and strong 3-and-D player.
For now, Cleveland is focused on making a championship run with Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen leading the way. However, once the offseason starts, the front office has to be aggressive in improving the roster if this year's team doesn't win it all.
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