NBA Insider Doesn't Believe Cavs Have Any 'Untouchable Players' in Trade Talks

NBA insider Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report doesn't believe the Cleveland Cavaliers have any "untouchable players" in trade talks. 

Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley are the Cavaliers' two most valuable players and have the two most valuable contracts. 

"The Cleveland Cavaliers don't have a ton of unencumbered draft capital, but they have a couple players who'd almost certainly bring a lot back in trades," Bailey wrote. "Donovan Mitchell is the older of the two, but he's also more proven. His scoring could be worth a trade fortune to the right team. And he might not be the best trade asset on this team.

"Evan Mobley has sort of stagnated statistically, but he's still in his early 20s, has a Defensive Player of the Year on his resume and has plenty of untapped offensive potential."

The Cavaliers acquired Mitchell from the Utah Jazz in 2022. Mitchell is averaging 26.7 points per game in the regular season and 27.3 points per game in the playoffs in a Cleveland uniform.

A seven-time All-Star, Mitchell led the Cavaliers to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. It was the first time Cleveland made the conference finals since 1992 without LeBron James, but the New York Knicks swept the Cavaliers en route to winning the championship against the San Antonio Spurs. 

The biggest move the Cavaliers made this summer was signing Mitchell to a massive extension. Mitchell agreed to a four-year, $273 million maximum contract extension with Cleveland.  

Mobley is on a five-year, $269 million contract at the moment. Cleveland didn't want to part ways with the USC product to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. If the Cavaliers decide to rebuild, trading Mobley for picks is the move. 

Without LeBron, the Cavaliers' core remains the same: James Harden, Mitchell, Mobley and Jarrett Allen. We'll see if that core can get over the hump next season.

The Cavaliers did sign Mario Hezonja after LeBron went to the 76ers. The next step is to re-sign Harden and Cleveland is also still interested in Jonathan Kuminga.